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Southampton Confirm Livramento "No Brainer" Signing From Chelsea
Monday, 2nd Aug 2021 20:38

Saints have made their second signing of another of Chelsea's promising academy players with the acquisition of Valentino Livramento and according to the player himself swapping Stamford Bridge for St Mary's was a no brainer.

He might sound like he was brought up in Rome or Napoli, but Tino Livramento is a Londoner and after hearing what Ralph Hasenhuttl had to say he felt that there was only one place for him and that was Southampton.

The versatile 18 year old who can play either wide midfield or at full back on either side has signed on the dotted line for £5 million although it is said that Chelsea have inserted a buy back clause of £25 million into the deal.

Chelsea Academy's Player of the Season, he is the second Chelsea youngster to make the switch to the south coast this summer, following in the footsteps of Dynel Simeu, with Livramento explaining that he'd already got the scoop about life at the club from his former teammate.

"It feels a bit surreal," he admitted. "[Chelsea] is all I've known since I started playing football. I've been there since the age of seven, going into Cobham week in week out, so moving over here and taking that next step in my career feels a bit nerve-wracking. But I know what's best for me and my development."

Turning down Brighton and with Arsenal hovering Saints moved quickly.

"I've been discussing with my dad about what we thought was best for my future. We felt like this was the right time for it to happen and for me to move on [from Chelsea].

"To have interest from a few top clubs, to choose Southampton was sort of a no-brainer, you know. They are a solid Premier League club and the manager was quite a big factor, as to why I wanted to come here and why I wanted to play for Southampton. The passion that he shows and yeah, I can't wait to get started."

"He [Ralph Hasenhüttl] wanted to tell me a lot. About how he wanted me to train and to play, and what he wants me to bring to the team. That was really attractive to me, for me to see him expressing those emotions and showing how he sees me playing as part of a Premier League team. That's a big thing for me, considering I'm still only 18.

"If you look at the squad, it's a very talented group and I'm just happy that I know what I can add to it. I can't wait to compete.

"The club has been notorious for bringing through youth players. It's a healthy environment for a young player like me to grow and learn from all these experienced pros already here."

Saints seemed to have done their homework on bringing in Livramento, they had chased Brandon Williams from Manchester United but baulked at paying his high wages and a loan fee for a player who would spent just one season at the club.

They also looked at Neco Williams from Liverpool, but he was twice the price of the Chelsea youngster.

Now it seems they have got the man they wanted and Ralph has covered both full back positions as well as getting a player who can play as a wing back as well.

Photo: Action Images



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A1079 added 22:07 - Aug 2
What do I know? Not alot, but this feels like an excellent signing to me.
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Flamingbankers added 11:19 - Aug 4
From the film on YouTube he seems a decent right half. I guess he could cover either side. But for left and right back in the Prem you need specialists otherwise you're easily and quickly found out as we were in the previous few years. Ralph's committed formation also always leaves us vulnerable here but he doesn't seem to consider anything else unless we're under intense pressure or it's too late. A Good idea to bring in youngsters from the biggest clubs though - I hope it works out well. For the money spent it seems the slightly better option than taking a chance on foreign or lower league players.
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