"In my head, I wanted to play for Chelsea" - Blues star reveals why he rejected chance to join Liverpool last year

Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia has opened up on why he snubbed Liverpool to join the Blues last summer. The Belgian suggested that among the options presented, the west London side's project seemed most appealing to him.

Speaking to Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail, he said:

"The interest from Liverpool was there but in my head, I wanted to play for Chelsea. If you look at all the teams, Chelsea is the one that is growing..."

Lavia had an impressive 2022-23 campaign for a Southampton side that was eventually relegated from the Premier League. The Saints had many suitors for the youngster, with a race emerging between the Reds and the Blues, who eventually signed him for a reported fee of €62 million.

However, it was a disastrous first season for the Belgian as he made just one appearance in the campaign after suffering a hamstring injury.

This season, he has looked impressive in pre-season for Chelsea under new manager Enzo Maresca. He has also started every game, a sign that he could maybe find some fitness this season.

Chelsea star opens up after signing new deal

Cole Palmer spoke up about his new contract with the club. The 22-year-old put pen to paper on a two-year extension with the side that is set to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2033. The new contract also includes a pay-rise, rewarding him for a brilliant start to life at the club.

Palmer said (via the club website):

"Since the first day I walked in the building, I’ve felt really good here. I’ve felt settled and now to know I’m going to be at Chelsea for a long time means a lot to me."

"Everyone knows it was a big move for me when I came last summer. I’d been at one place all my life, but I wanted to have a new experience, I can look back at it now and know it was the right decision. I’m happy I made the move and I’m just loving life here at Chelsea."

The former Manchester City player added:

"The season just gone, for me personally, was amazing. I felt trusted in the team and I really enjoyed playing. It makes me excited for the season ahead and I think collectively, we can do some really good things this year."

Palmer joined the Blues from Manchester City for a reported fee of £40 million plus £2.5 million in add-ons last summer. He had a sensational first campaign with the London side, bagging 27 goals and 15 assists in 48 games.

The Englishman will hope to pick up right where he left off as Chelsea kick off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a fixture against Palmer's old side Manchester City.