Former Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta admits that his decision to lower his wages and join Rayo Vallecano on loan three years ago was key to his career.
He was considered one of the brightest young talents during his time at the Chelsea academy, but Congolese struggled to get into the senior side and only made 16 appearances for the Blues first team.
He had various loan spells during his stint at Chelsea and the former France Under-21 international has stressed joining Rayo Vallecano in 2014 was the best decision of his career.
He admits that he had little option, but to take a massive pay cut to join the Spanish side as the other option was to continue playing for the Chelsea reserves.
Currently at SC Amiens, the 26-year-old believes the season he spent at Rayo is still the best of his career.
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Kakuta told French magazine France Football: “I made a real sporting choice by signing for Rayo Vallecano.
“I put the money aside and I agreed to lower my salary by 70 per cent, but it was either that or rot in the Chelsea reserves.
“I was super motivated and Rayo brought my serenity and it’s still my best season.
“I finished with a good record and was the third best dribbler in the league behind only [Lionel] Messi and Neymar.”
Kakuta has made a good start to his season at Amiens and has two goals in six appearances for the club to his name.
