Dominic Solanke takes swipe at former club Chelsea as Liverpool move is confirmed
The 19-year-old only managed to make 17 minutes of first-team action at Stamford Bridge
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Your support makes all the difference.Dominic Solanke has revealed why he decided to move to Liverpool this summer, and has taken a big swipe at Chelsea’s youth policy in the process.
The 19-year-old left the Blues on a free this summer because of his frustration of a lack of opportunity to develop at Stamford Bridge, with first-team arrivals severely limiting his chance to make an impression.
Solanke’s stock has since risen after helping England win the Under-20 World Cup this summer and winning the Golden Ball for the tournament’s best player in the process.
But he only managed 17 minutes of senior action, which came nearly three years ago in the Champions League against NK Maribor when he was 17 years old, and has since been restricted to a loan spell at Vitesse Arnhem.
And Solanke has praised the opportunities afforded to young players at Anfield, in comparison to his former club Chelsea.
“Every time I see Liverpool, there’s such a family nature, there’re a lot of young players doing well at the club, so I think it will be a good place for me to develop my career,” said the forward, whose compensation fee is set to be decided by a tribunal.
“As a young player, you always want to see the club you’re at pushing young players through.
“I’m quite good friends with Joe Gomez - I’ve known him since we were young - and obviously Ovie [Ejaria] and Sheyi [Ojo] were with us at the Under-20 World Cup. We spoke a bit when we were away, so I’m looking forward to enjoying it with them.
“Liverpool’s got a lot of good young players, so hopefully everyone can play their part.”
Solanke is also excited to work with head coach Jurgen Klopp, whom he praised for his passion and energy on the touchline.
“Every time I’ve seen him, he’s always so enthusiastic and passionate so I think that’s what you need,” he added.
“As a young player you just want to reach your full potential, so to have good players around you and a good manager to help will be really good.
“I just want to make an impact. Hopefully when I get my opportunity I can take it and help the team.”
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