http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 midfielder Raul Meireles claim Liverpool made him hand in a transfer request
Chelsea deadline day arrival http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 planned to sell him. The 28-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge last minute from Liverpool for a fee of £12 million on a long
term deal, a move that has left many Reds fans confused and angry.
However, Meireles revealed he had not wanted to Anfield and said the only reason why he had done so was because the Merseyside had broken promises in addition to other disagreements. According to the midfielder, he had been promised a 100% pay increase if
he performed well in his first season at the club.
Meireles signed with Liverpool in the summer transfer window of 2010-2011 and went on to become a fan favourite shortly after his move. He made 41 appearances in all competitions and scored five goals, in addition to winning the PFA Fans’ Player of the Year.
However, the club failed to live up to their end of the bargain, because of which Meireles decided to leave Anfield. In addition to their refusal to increase his pay check, Liverpool reportedly asked him to hand in a transfer request, something the player
did so on the last day of the summer transfer window.
Meireles said in an interview:
“All I have to say is that I had one promise at Liverpool which wasn't fulfilled. It's not the only thing to blame. But that's why the Liverpool fans are unsure why I left.”
He revealed he had been somewhat surprised that he had been made available in the transfer window, after claims from the Liverpool hierarchy that he was in their plans for the future. However, having completed his move to the London side, the Portuguese
said he was looking forward to winning silverware with the Blues.
He continued:
“I was a bit surprised, but now I'm just concentrating on my present and future, and that's with Chelsea.”
Meireles admitted he was flattered by the interest Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas had shown in acquiring his signature, which convinced him to sign with the Blues. He said the decision to choose the Blues had not been difficult, having previously worked
with Villas-Boas.
Meireles said:
“I worked under Andre for one month at Porto, so I felt that there's the same mentality here as there was at Porto - the desire to win competitions and trophies. With Andre, we can do that.
In one month, it was enough to see how he works and his desire to win things. So it wasn't hard to make the decision to come to Chelsea.”
Meireles was awarded his debut with a start against Sunderland last Saturday and the Portuguese midfielder did surprisingly well. He seemed to fit right in with the rest of the squad and could very well be the piece missing from Chelsea’s squad.
Tags: