The former Liverpool played revealed how one major factor played a part in his career trajectory
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Raul Meireles of Liverpool celebrates with team mates Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard after John Pantsil of Fulham scored an own goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on January 26, 2011 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Raul Meireles scored five goals for Liverpool(Image: 2011 Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool midfielder Raul Meireles previously maintained he didn't want to leave Liverpool for Chelsea in 2011. Yet the Blues' hiring of Andre Villas-Boas as boss altered everything.
Liverpool will host Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday, with the two sides frequently locking horns in the transfer market through the years as well as on the field. One notable example revolved around Meireles.
Meireles signed for the Reds, then managed by Roy Hodgson, from Porto in August 2010 for £11.5million. The Portuguese midfielder featured 44 times for Liverpool, netting five goals.
It seemed Liverpool had discovered something of a midfield anchor, with the player adding intelligent play and goals to the side's central areas. That remained the case until Chelsea, newly under the guidance of Villas Boas, who had collaborated with Meireles at Porto, opted to pounce for the player on summer deadline day of 2011 for £12m.
The switch drew uncomfortable comparisons with Fernando Torres' £50m transfer to Chelsea, which had taken place six months prior, with Liverpool having confirmed in both instances that a transfer request had been lodged.
However, Meireles was insistent there was no animosity involved this time around and that it was simply down to the opportunity to reunite with Villas-Boas. Speaking following his switch to Stamford Bridge, he said: "When I was in Porto, I knew that I wanted to go and the club wanted to sell me, and I only had to wait for the right choice.
"I made the right choice last year to come to England and to come to Liverpool and this year was different because I knew that I didn't want to leave Liverpool. I felt that the new owners didn't want to sell me, but when I knew that Chelsea and Andre wanted me, it convinced me.
Raul Meireles of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the only goal during a Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on February 6, 2011 in London, England.
Raul Meireles scored against Chelsea shortly before making a move to Stamford Bridge(Image: 2011 Liverpool FC/Getty)
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"It was strange, because I knew of the interest of Chelsea, and the interest of the coach, and it was a pleasure to come to this club but it was strange because it was on the last day. The people think that I wanted to leave and it is only because Chelsea wanted me. For Andre to want me, that is why I wanted to go.
"I have a lot of friends here, Portuguese players that I know from Porto and the national team, and Jose Bosingwa helped me a lot in these first days. I know that Chelsea is a great club, one of the best clubs in the world, and it is not too difficult to convince me to come."
Raul Meireles looks on for Chelsea
Raul Meireles joined Chelsea a year after signing for Liverpool(Image: Getty)
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Much like Torres, Meireles joined Chelsea having regularly troubled them over the years. He netted against them in a Champions League encounter while at Porto and played a key part as Liverpool completed the league double over the west Londoners the previous season, scoring the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge.
Meireles tasted glory at Chelsea, claiming both the FA Cup and Champions League with the Blues. However, he was offloaded to Turkish outfit Fenerbahce for £8m in September 2012, following Villas-Boas's dismissal by the Chelsea board several months prior.
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