Valentino Livramento looked on course to becoming a first-team player at Chelsea after winning the Academy Player of the Year award in 2021.
However, with Reece James emerging as a major player and Cesar Azpilicueta still at the club, Livramento chose to leave Chelsea that summer, joining Southampton.
"I was at Chelsea from the age of seven," the full-back who is now playing for Newcastle told The Telegraph.
"So, to leave was hard, especially before I’d played a single game, but it was the right thing for me to do.
"I remember when I signed my first contract as a pro, I think it was for £300-a-week or something like that, I couldn’t believe it. I was a 16-year-old and I thought I was living the dream.
"I didn’t leave against my will. I’ll always love the club and I would have loved to play for them, but it doesn’t annoy me.
"I saw the move to Southampton as the best thing. I needed to play and it wasn’t about being picky or choosy about where I went. The club accepted it was the right thing for me, they got the offer that was right for them too."
Chelsea sold Livramento to Southampton for a fee that exceeded ₤20m with all the clauses and bonuses.
A couple of years later, he joined a Champions League club for twice as high of a price. He has not become a regular starter this season but still has featured in 21 Premier League games.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have moved on from Azpilicueta and signed Malo Gusto in what looks like a good deal — but you'd be forgiven for thinking that Chelsea could do worse than keep one of their own who could fill in at left-back as well.
