Newcastle United star Tino Livramento has admitted that Chelsea will always have a special place in his heart.
Tino Livramento, who joined Chelsea at the age of seven, spent his youth developing as a highly-rated talent in the Blues academy.
Despite big success at Cobham, the English right-back never got to make a first-team debut in Chelsea colours. Instead, they sold him to Southampton in a £5 million deal in 2021 (The Guardian).
Livramento’s career saw him complete a £32 million move to Newcastle last summer (Sky Sports). The 21-year-old full-back is enjoying an impressive debut season at St James’ Park, too.
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Newcastle’s Livramento has been discussing this week his Chelsea exit. Interestingly, the youngster’s said that he still loves the Blues and was desperate to play for them, albeit he doesn’t regret how things played out.
“I was at Chelsea from the age of seven. So, to leave was hard, especially before I’d played a single game, but it was the right thing for me to do,” Livramento told The Telegraph.
“I remember when I signed my first contract as a pro, I think it was for £300-a-week or something like that, I couldn’t believe it. I was a 16-year-old and I thought I was living the dream.
“I didn’t leave Chelsea against my will. I didn’t leave against my will. I’ll always love the club and I would have loved to play for them, but it doesn’t annoy me.
“I saw the move to Southampton as the best thing. I needed to play and it wasn’t about being picky or choosy about where I went. The club accepted it was the right thing for me, they got the offer that was right for them too.”
Tino Livramento quality
Journalist Ben Jacobs told NUFC Matters last August that Chelsea considered re-signing Livramento when they had a buy-back clause but the player wasn’t enthused by the idea.
We think the right-back is at the right club now in Newcastle and is on his own path.
Of course, he was good enough for Chelsea. However, some academy stars will inevitably get away.
Fortunately, the Blues do own two top-quality right-backs in Reece James and Malo Gusto.
