Meireles lured by Villas-Boas sway

Chelsea signing Raul Meireles says the chance to work with Andre Villas-Boas convinced him to complete a deadline-day switch from Liverpool.

The Portuguese midfielder moved to Stamford Bridge for an estimated 12 million pounds on the final day of the transfer window last week.

Meireles explained that it was the prospect of teaming-up with countryman and Chelsea manager Villas-Boas that lured him to London.

“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,” Meireles told Chelsea’s official website.

“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.”

Meireles was also puzzled by the timing of the deal, with Chelsea not approaching Liverpool until the final stages of the transfer period.

“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,” he said.

“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.”