Liverpool
‘I wanted to…’ – Premier League player explains why he snubbed Liverpool despite being in talks
‘I wanted to…’ – Premier League player explains why he snubbed Liverpool despite being in talks
A current Premier League player has explained why he decided not to join Liverpool earlier in his career, despite being in negotiations with the Reds.
Ten years ago, the Anfield club were in the hunt for Willian, who ultimately signed for Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk that summer.
The current Fulham player has now shared some insight on the turn of events which led to him snubbing Merseyside for the UK’s capital city, which was his preferred destination.
Speaking to Premier League Brasil, the 34-year-old said: “I went to London and Liverpool and Tottenham were interested. I was negotiating with both, not Chelsea. And in my heart the dream was to go to Chelsea.
“Proposals came from both of them and, as I wanted to stay in London, I decided that I’d go to Tottenham.
“Chelsea made an offer and I didn’t think twice. It was something I really wanted, with all due respect to Tottenham, who are also a great club, but my dream was to play for Chelsea.”
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Willian went on to enjoy plenty of success at Stamford Bridge, winning two league titles, making 339 appearances and scoring 63 times (Transfermarkt), so he’ll believe he made the right decision a decade ago.
Although he went on to enjoy a tremendous career in England – and his love affair with London has also seen him play for Arsenal and Fulham – Liverpool probably won’t have too many regrets over missing out on the Brazilian winger.
In the season that he joined Chelsea, the Reds’ lethal front three of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling almost fired Brendan Rodgers’ side to Premier League glory.
A few years later, an even more formidable forward line of Mo Salah, Bobby Firmino and Sadio Mane created magic together under Jurgen Klopp.
We certainly wouldn’t have said no to Willian, but history has shown that we didn’t exactly wallow in self-pity from not being able to bring him to Anfield.
He may not have come to Liverpool, but one of his goals will forever be remembered by Reds fans – his penalty against Manchester City on 25 June 2020 to seal a win for Chelsea which confirmed us as Premier League champions. Cheers for that, fella!
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Jude Bellingham should lead Liverpool back to Mohamed Salah heir it already held ‘talks’ with
When Jürgen Klopp arrived at Liverpool, the fans had expected the German to bring with him some of his former players from Borussia Dortmund. After all, his predecessor did just that, bringing in former players like Joe Allen and Fabio Borini. Yet almost a decade into his reign, Klopp is still yet to recruit from his former club.
There is nothing standing in his way in terms of contractual agreements. And it hasn’t been for a lack of trying either, especially in the club’s pursuit of Jude Bellingham. Simply, Dortmund can afford to demand a hefty fee for its star players, and such hefty fees are difficult to pay for Liverpool under normal circumstances. But it has been even more difficult to do so this summer when the club is embarking on an important rebuild project which requires multiple major transfers.
Nonetheless, Dortmund will remain a key place for Liverpool to scout players. It’s a hub for developing talent, and has been ever since Klopp took over. With a similar style of play to Liverpool, bringing a player in from Dortmund could ease the transition to life at Anfield as well.
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So perhaps Bellingham won’t be the first Dortmund player to break Klopp’s transfer trend, but there might be another emerging talent who could.
Karim Adeyemi is a player Liverpool wanted to sign before his move to Borussia Dortmund. Even as late as April last year, Sky Sports Germany had reported Liverpool was still ‘in talks’ with the player, who in the end favored a move to his homeland instead.
Considering he was still a teenager at the time, that decision was understandable. But in a few years, Adeyemi may want to test himself elsewhere, so Liverpool might be tempted to return for his services.
In red-hot form at the moment, Adeyemi has 11 goal contributions in his last nine games for the club, and he has averaged 0.80 goals and assists per 90 in his debut season so far. That’s on the back of making 32 goal contributions for Red Bull Salzburg last season, including five in eight games in the Champions League.
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A really fast forward, Liverpool liked Adeyemi because of his ability to not just play through the middle but also on the flanks. At Dortmund, this is where he has been used predominantly, and that makes him an even more intriguing candidate for the Reds.
Klopp’s options in attack are well-stocked at the moment, even with the departure of Roberto Firmino. However, in a few years, as Mohamed Salah gets older and his contract nears expiration in 2025, Liverpool may have to think about adding another reinforcement in attack who could occupy the right-wing position.
Adeyemi would be a player more than capable of fulfilling that role. He is an exemplary finisher and, like Salah, he is a left-footed player who is comfortable with cutting in from the right.
Liverpool has admired Adeyemi for years. The club wanted him even last summer. And based on his recent form, it’s hard to imagine Liverpool will not try to pursue him in the future as well.
When the time is right, Liverpool fans may just have to strap themselves in for another Dortmund transfer saga. This time, the fans will hope, it’s a saga that once and for all Liverpool will win.
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