Star who snubbed Tuchel loving reaping big rewards Chelsea failed to offer

Tino Livramento, Matt Ritchie Newcastle v Southampton August 2021

Southampton full-back Tino Livramento has insisted that he is reaping the benefits of his summer decision to quit Chelsea.

The 18-year-old emerged as a rising star in the Blues’ youth set-up last season. In fact, he scooped Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Year prize after chipping in with three goals and 10 assists.

As a result, transfer interest – namely from the south coast – emerged. Instead of sticking around at Stamford Bridge, Livramento sought pastures new to develop his Premier League career.

Indeed, he has missed only four minutes of top-flight action in seven games this term – including against Chelsea last weekend.

Nevertheless, opening up on his exit from Chelsea, Livramento added that he has a regret about his time there.

“Regrets? It would have been nice to play a game but I had to think what was best for me,” the teenager told the Daily Mirror.

“Being young I’ve always wanted to just play first-team football as soon as possible.

“I feel like if I stayed there things wouldn’t have happened as quickly as now.

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“It was a hard decision for everyone involved. They agreed that it was best for me as well and they’ve always looked after me.”

Livramento added that the impression he got from Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was that “he really does want me here”.

The right-back also claimed that he is loving Premier League football, something Chelsea could not offer straight away.

Livramento loving Premier League life

Tino Livramento, Mateo Kovacic Chelsea v Southampton October 2021

“I’ve always liked the way Southampton play football, high intensity and really aggressive playing,” he said.

“The way they play with the full-backs I’m not going to be sitting back for the whole game, it is going to give me opportunities to get forward and show what I can give in attack.


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“I think it is also good for my development, playing in a team like Southampton at right-back where sometimes you’re going to be under pressure and be one-v-one with the best players in the world, let alone the League.

“Maybe playing as a wing-back at Chelsea in the youth stages and not being tested that much defensively… it brings me confidence now when I play against wingers knowing that I can compete at this level.”

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel revealed that his club did “everything” to try to make Livramento stay.

While they eventually let him leave, the Blues retained a reported £25million buy-back clause.

Asked if he could move back to Stamford Bridge, Livramento said: “Maybe one day, but I’m just enjoying my football at the moment at Southampton, that’s where my head’s at right now.

“Just trying to pick up as many points as possible and improving individually.”

England Under-21 international Livramento was speaking ahead of the match against Slovenia on Thursday.