Former Liverpool and Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is currently playing his football for the Arabian Falcons in the United Arab Emirates after leaving Burnley at the end of last season.
Jonjo Shelvey’s move to Dubai wasn’t motivated by money, but to prevent his children from growing up in the UK. The midfielder highlighted his concerns about safety in London, suggesting he cannot wear a watch in the capital without being targeted.
Shelvey, 33, is currently traded to the Arabian Falcons of the United Arab Emirates’ second division. Fewer than 100 supporters were in the stands for the match, with the former Liverpool and Newcastle star alongside former Manchester United star Lavelle Morrison.
The former Swansea playmaker, who has six England caps, combines coaching in Dubai with training with the Falcons. Shelvey left Burnley after a short spell before signing a one-year contract with the club.
The Charlton Academy product suffered a hamstring injury during an unsuccessful trial with Hull City over the summer. However, an offer to join the Dubai-based club proved to be enough to convince his family to leave Tyneside, where he enjoyed a seven-year playing career with the Magpies.
Mr Shelvey told the BBC he had “done his time”. “I’m happy and content. I’m at a stage now where I want to enjoy my football. It’s about waking up, enjoying what I’m doing and spending time with my family.”
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“To be honest, I don’t want my children to grow up in England any longer. I’m very lucky to live in a nice part of the country, but I don’t think anything good can ever happen where I come from.
“I don’t wear watches anymore in London. In my opinion, you can’t take your phone out in London.”
Mr. Shelby was reluctant to talk about politics, but highlighted some concerns in his home country. “I’m not good at reading politics,” he said. “I’m just seeing part of what’s going on.
“We’re seeing people being arrested for just tweeting, and even people being arrested for holding up the flag and saying ‘take back our country.’
“I’m not going to sit here and comment on things like that because I’m not smart and if I keep doing that I’m going to get into trouble. I just feel that Britain is not what it was 10 to 15 years ago.”
And Mr. Shelvey is trolling claims that finances are the motive. The veteran said the amount pales in comparison to his Premier League career and suggested his brother earns more than the league’s standard wage working in a hotel.
“Since then, I’ve seen some things like, ‘He went there for the money.’ I’m like, ‘What money?’ There’s no money in the UAE second division,” he said.
“The standard wage here is around £2,000 a month for a footballer. That’s not much compared to what I’ve earned over my career. My brother earns more working in a hotel in London, so I didn’t come here for the money.”
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