Transfer Centre

Jese Rodriguez: "I never wanted to leave"

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 27 July 2015

Jese Rodriguez insists that the idea of leaving Real Madrid this summer 'never entered his mind' as he prepares to play a key role under Rafael Benitez this season.

Spanish attacker Jese Rodriguez has claimed that the idea of leaving Real Madrid this summer 'never entered his mind'.

The 22-year-old burst onto the scene during the 2013-14 campaign – netting eight times in 31 games for the Madrid giants - but he missed the second half of the season after suffering a serious knee injury.

Last season proved frustrating for the forward as he battled to return to fitness and he struggled to make his mark under Carlo Ancelotti, who could not find a spot in his front three for the Spaniard.

Talk of a move away from the club gathered pace towards the end of the campaign, but Jese is now expected to stay at the Bernabeu and be given a role under Rafael Benitez in the new campaign.

"I feel good. I feel better as time goes by and by playing getting playing time. I'm working hard and we're all doing well as a group," Jese has been quoted as saying by AS.

"I never wanted to leave. This club has given me so much and I now have the confidence of the new coach. We'll fight on."

Jese scored Real Madrid's first goal in their 3-0 win over Inter Milan in the International Champions Cup on Monday.