Chelsea Should Resist the Temptation to Reconsider Wolfsburg's Kevin De Bruyne

There's a saying about going back—you shouldn't do it.

Jose Mourinho's success at Chelsea since he returned to Stamford Bridge in 2013 bucks the trend, but more often than not, sequels are best avoided.

Especially when the original was so poor in the first place.

Take Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian midfielder who departed west London just over a year ago.

He was disappointing then and there's nothing to suggest he wouldn't be disappointing again.

Given Chelsea's struggles in attack of late, the focus on where things have gone wrong has been a natural reaction.

Chelsea are no longer breaking teams down in the way they did early in the campaign; they lack fluency and aren't utilising key players effectively.

In typically defiant nature, Mourinho's side have actually extended their lead at the top of the Premier League, though. They also have a game in hand over their rivals which, should they win, will more than likely secure the club's fifth league title.

For all their success, it hasn't stopped fans gazing across Europe and thinking what might have been.

In Italy, Mohamed Salah is thriving on loan at Fiorentina and De Bruyne is doing much more with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Regardless of what's gone before, suddenly De Bruyne has the look of a player who would be winning Chelsea the title if we believe social media.

Apparently, the Belgian attacker would be the difference between a draw with Southampton and victory.

Mourinho made a point in his press conference ahead of last weekend's meeting with Ronald Koeman's side when he explained to journalists that he isn't like the wind—he doesn't change his opinion that quickly.

It's a philosophy that's served him well; it's one he should keep with De Bruyne.

We've seen it all before with him.

While on loan from Chelsea at Werder Bremen, he flourished. De Bruyne found the back of the net 10 times in 33 Bundesliga matches and Chelsea supporters were excited when he got his opportunity under Mourinho.

Kerstin Joensson/Associated Press

How quick that enthusiasm turned to frustration, with De Bruyne struggling to make an impact.

He wasn't given too many opportunities, but that was more a result of his abject performances whenever he featured.

Playing alongside Eden Hazard, Willian, Oscar and his current Wolfsburg team-mate Andre Schurrle, De Bruyne disappeared.

He offered Chelsea very little, and regardless of what he had achieved in Germany, it was clear things weren't going to work out for him in the Premier League.

Mourinho did the right thing. The Chelsea boss cashed in his chips—for a significant profit, no less—when he had the chance.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

That history has repeated itself since De Bruyne moved back to Germany last year means little.

It's one thing to produce swashbuckling displays in a team where little is expected, quite another to do it when pressure follows you to every corner of the pitch.

De Bruyne's spell at Chelsea—sandwiched between his impressive feats in the Bundesliga—suggests his character fits the former.

Working with him every day in training, witnessing his ineffectiveness on the pitch, Mourinho saw that.

The Chelsea manager wastes little time in culling players he feels will no longer offer what his teams require.

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Much bigger names have suffered at his hands, notably Chelsea's two-time Player of the Year Juan Mata, who wasn't cut out to adapt to the manager's philosophy.

Besides, where would De Bruyne fit into this Chelsea team in the long term?

Mourinho offloaded the Belgian for a simple reason: he wasn't good enough for Chelsea.

It's going to take much more than some star performances in the Europa League and elsewhere to change that.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes