‘It wasn’t easy but I have to leave’ — Former Blues player reveals why he left Chelsea this summer
Former Chelsea youngster Tino Livramento left Chelsea during the summer transfer window in a £5m move to Southampton.
Livramento was highly rated at the club but was among the club’s buzzing youngsters who had to leave with hopes of greener pastures.
The 18-year-old signed a five year deal with the Saints, and he has admitted that it was the best solution for him and his career.
“Every single year, I have a routine of setting goals and there is only so much you can do at youth level,” Livramento told the FA’s website.
“Me and my dad sat down in May and we spoke and thought the next step would be for me to push into a Premier League team and we felt the better route for me was to leave Chelsea.
“It wasn’t easy obviously as I have been a fan for as long as I can remember and been a player there since I was seven.
“I never thought that I would be playing straight away [at Southampton] but you have to take everything in your stride and you cannot hide when you get that opportunity. You have to take it. I hope I can keep doing that.”
Livramento has started out life at Southampton very well, and has started and completed all of Southampton’s Premier League games this season.
He put in a very impressive display against Manchester United and has earned the trust of his manager.
The Chelsea academy product is glad with the way his decision has panned out.
He added: “Everyone has their own different pathways and I’m not saying what I have done would work for everyone and going on loan might be the best option for some people.
“But it is about knowing what is best for you and I think what I have done is specific for me and you have to look at the club, look at the goals and see if it will suit you.
“At Southampton, luckily with the manager, the staff and the players, it has come together quite nicely.”