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Chelsea news: Oxlade-Chamberlain was urged to reject Blues by Southgate - report
GARETH SOUTHGATE played a role in persuading Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to snub Chelsea, reports claim.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain turned down a move to Chelsea
Oxlade-Chamberlain turned down a new £180,000-a-week contract to stay at Arsenal in the summer.
Chelsea were interested in striking a deal, but the England international realised he wouldn’t be playing in his preferred midfield role were he to move to Stamford Bridge.
Instead, he sealed a £35million switch to Liverpool on deadline day, as he thought he would develop under Jurgen Klopp.
Antonio Conte ended up bringing in two players last Thursday - Davide Zappacosta from Torino and Leicester star Danny Drinkwater.
Sky Sports shows line-up of Chelsea's summer transfer fails
He’s answered all the people who said ‘we don’t know what position he plays in’
But as far as Oxlade-Chamberlain is concerned, Conte missed out on one of his primary targets.
And according to the Daily Telegraph, England manager Southgate may have something to do with the failed move.
The Telegraph say Southgate’s conversation with the 24-year-old was private, but could have helped make up Oxlade-Chamberlain’s mind that a move to Chelsea wasn’t for him.
Over the weekend, Daily Mirror reporter Darren Lewis suggested Oxlade-Chamberlain should be applauded for leaving Arsenal.
Gareth Southgate spoke to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain about a move to Chelsea
He said: “He’s also had people suggest he doesn’t necessarily improve Liverpool.
“To take the decision himself which is not financial, but to improve in his preferred position, well it’s to be applauded.
“He’s answered all the people who said ‘we don’t know what position he plays in’.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain could make his debut for Liverpool when they travel to face Manchester City on Saturday (12:30pm).
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