Chelsea phenom departs, signs a contract with Southampton
Chelsea fans had high hopes for the current transfer window. The Blues’ faithful saw this summer as an opportunity to add to their potential dynasty; they could bring in elite pieces and build to their Champions League-winning side. Two months and the signing of only Marcus Bettinelli later, the club has failed to meet those expectations to say the least. Instead, this is shaping up to be one of the more grim windows in recent memory for an entirely different reason.
There has been a mass exodus from inside the Blues’ academy recently, leading to large groups of supporters to become frustrated with the business thus far. The sale of Fikayo Tomori to AC Milan caused a chain reaction from within the club. Shortly after that move was made official, numerous other youngsters handed in transfer requests. Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Bate (Leeds United), Myles Peart-Harris (Brentford) and Dynel Simeu (Southampton) have all followed in Tomori’s footsteps since. The latter is set to be joined by another now-former Chelsea academy star on England’s south coast.
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Tino Livramento has swapped his Chelsea roots for the stripes of Southampton.
Valentino—or Tino, as he is commonly known—Livramento has now officially departed the Blues after spending nine years with them. The 18-year-old has signed with Southampton on a five-year contract. The reigning Chelsea Academy Player of the Year will wear the No. 21 with his new side. The Blues will receive £5 million from Saints as compensation for Livramento’s services.
Livramento will join up with Ralph Hasenhuttl and the first team right away, unlike Southampton’s other signing from the European Champions, Simeu. The former will spend this season with Saints in the Premier League, an opportunity he was not set to be given at Chelsea. Marc Walker of Saints Marching had this to say on Livramento and Simeu’s standings in their new side:
"“[Southampton has] little cover at right back so I can see Livramento being a back-up to Kyle Walker-Peters whilst also challenging for his place in the team. Simeu may well be able to take a senior squad place in the next couple of seasons.” -Walker"
Livramento had just one year remaining on his deal with the Blues. Therefore, Chelsea needed to either re-sign him or sell him. The club laid out a plan to send the English defender out on loan after his new extension had become official, but Livramento felt as if his pathway to the first team was clouded by the Blues’ interest in Achraf Hakimi and Adama Traore. He then decided it’d be best to move on from his childhood club and compete for a top flight position elsewhere.
Walker commented on why Southampton is appealing to young players:
"“Saints are able to give more opportunities to young players because they aren’t one of the clubs competing at the very top level. They have been able to give these two Chelsea players a clearer route to first team football because they would have to displace so many top quality players at Stamford Bridge. Ultimately, there’s less pressure for youngsters to get it right first time with a club like Saints and players are given more time to develop to their full potential, and their past record of producing players helps them to attract young talent.” -Walker"
While things may seem gloomy in west London right now, not all is wrong in the world. The biggest positive from this deal is the inclusion of a buyback clause and a sell-on fee. If the young defender fulfills his potential, fans can look at this as more of a glorified, expensive loan deal. If not, the Blues will end up getting a portion of the funds he raises in an eventual Southampton departure. Livramento’s sale also adds to their striker fund right away.
Chelsea is currently pursuing Romelu Lukaku and it’s going to take a small fortune to pry him away from Inter Milan. Every pound counts in big name transfers and all of these youth sales are beginning to add up. These are the silver livings, but they do not completely mask the fact that something is in the water at Cobham with all of the recent departures.
Next. Chelsea’s transfer window makes no sense the longer it goes on. dark
What do you think of Livramento’s move to Southampton? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!