According to journalists Dominic Fifield and Darren Lewis, Fernando Llorente’s deadline day decision to snub Chelsea in favour of a move to Tottenham has exposed a potential shift in power in London.
After being heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in the days leading up to Thursday’s transfer deadline, 32 year old striker Fernando Llorente made a surprising move to Tottenham Hotspur instead.
The transfer shocked many pundits and professionals alike, as Spurs had hijacked Chelsea’s attempts to add depth to their squad, while Llorente was happy to join the North-London outfit instead of the holding champions of England, Chelsea.
Speaking on SkySports’ Sunday Supplement, The Guardian’s London football correspondent Dominic Fifield revealed his surprise over Llorente’s decision to join Tottenham despite already having worked with Blues boss Antonion Conte during his team at Juventus.
“The one that really surprised me was Llorente,” He said. “Because he’s worked with Conte before.”
“I would have thought he’d get more games at Chelsea than he would at Spurs, and sometimes as first choice in certain fixtures.”
“Yet somehow they didn’t manage to get him.”
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Football writer at The Daily Mirror Darren Lewis also weighed in on the subject, suggesting that the transfer saga has revealed a possible shift in power in London, with Tottenham emerging as the more favourable football destination than Chelsea.
“It’s also saying something that, back in the day, Chelsea were nicking Spurs players, not the other way around.” He added.
“Now it’s Spurs pinching a player and presenting a proposal to a player that seems more attractive than what is on offer at Stamford Bridge.”
“It was also fascinating to see Lukaku go to Manchester United instead of Chelsea, when the feeling at Chelsea was that he had unfinished business there. It looked like a shoo-in for him to go back.”
“And it fascinates me that Chelsea would invest so much into developing youth players and yet they’re all having to seek their footballing fortunes elsewhere.”
“Loftus-Cheek should be in that squad, but instead they’re trying to sign Ross Barkley. How does that work? Chalobah has to go to Watford to play first-team football.”
New SkySports pundit and former West Ham man Dean Ashton however, was not quite so understanding in Llorente’s decision to snub Chelsea, who stated that he believes choosing Chelsea over Spurs is a no-brainer.
“I can’t get my head around why he wouldn’t go to Chelsea above Tottenham,” He said, as reported by Football.London.
“That’s my opinion. I think you’re more likely to win something at Chelsea. I think you’re more likely to play at Chelsea.”
“So I wonder whether he just doesn’t like Antonio Conte or what Tottenham have said to convince him.”
“I think they [Spurs] will be absolutely delighted to have got this player away from Chelsea’s grasp and Chelsea will be really disappointed that they haven’t got someone that can come on and make a real difference.”
“He’s already proven in the Premier League,” He added. “A very good header of the ball. At his age I think it’s a good move.”
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