The 2023 summer transfer window has been filled with unexpected twists and turns, with a particular focus on two English clubs that have sparked the question: Why are footballers favoring Chelsea over Liverpool?
To comprehend the players’ preferences between these two clubs, let’s examine the recent cases of two players who chose Stamford Bridge over Anfield in August 2023.
In a groundbreaking deal, Moises Caicedo transferred from Brighton to Chelsea for an astonishing £115 million, setting a new British-record transfer fee. This significant move involves a base payment of £100 million, supplemented by an additional £15 million tied to performance-based incentives.
Moises Caicedo chose Chelsea over Liverpool, drawn by his impressive stint at Brighton last season, and Chelsea anticipates he’ll continue to deliver standout performances at Stamford Bridge.
Yet, Moises Caicedo isn’t the sole player who has purportedly decided to link up with Chelsea instead of Liverpool.
Romeo Lavia of Southampton also opted for Chelsea as his preferred destination, despite continuous offers from Liverpool throughout the summer.
Romeo Lavia has reconsidered his initial plans to join Liverpool, and it appears that Mauricio Pochettino’s team is poised to outpace the Reds in securing the Belgian midfielder. This unexpected turn of events has left numerous people astonished, prompting questions about why players are favoring Chelsea over Liverpool.
Why are players choosing Chelsea over Liverpool
Now let’s look at some of the possible motives behind players choosing to join Mauricio Pochettino’s side over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
Project and Plans
Chelsea seem to be planning for the future and they have made necessary reinforcements that could produce the right dividend in the coming years.
The Blues have made the signing of youngsters a priority, since the arrival of American billionaire Todd Boehly.
Chelsea have signed 18 players 25-year-old and below since the summer of 2022/23 and they have handed the club to a tactician, who understands the rudiments of managing young players.
Mauricio Pochettino is a master tactician when it comes to handling young players
Mauricio Pochettino has produced remarkable results handling youngsters across all the clubs he has managed.
From Espanyol to Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and maybe Paris Saint Germain, we have seen talents develop and go on to become world-beaters under his tutelage.
Some notable names include; Harry Kane, Son Heung Min, Luke Shaw, and Christian Eriksen to name a few.
Pochettino led Southampton to compete amongst the top teams in the Premier League and he also led Tottenham Hotspur to the final of the UEFA Champions League.
This might be one cogent reason why players are choosing Chelsea over Liverpool.
Liverpool are also in a rebuilding phase but they are still a team littered with players above the age of 25.
Financial Reasons
The belief that Chelsea can continue to pump in money which could ensure the progress of the club is also a factor.
Some players might feel that in case of an unfavorable season, there most likely will be cash injections into the club to change the fortunes around.
In comparison with Liverpool, the Reds don’t have the financial muscle to battle with clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, or even Manchester United.
When reports circulated over their interest in Moises Caicedo, it was shocking to many, given the reasons why the transfer of Romeo Lavia have stalled bordering on finances.
Personal Decision
Using Moises Caicedo as an example, the 21-year-old is seemingly a fan of Chelsea and as such he preferred a move to Stamford Bridge over Anfield.
Despite Liverpool initially outbidding Chelsea, the deal couldn’t pull through as the player rejected their advances.
In like manner for Romeo Lavia, it appears the Belgian is desiring a move to Stamford Bridge over Liverpool due to personal goals.
