Ex-Premier League Star Jonjo Shelvey Says He Will Never Return To UK As He Fears For Children’s Safety

Remember Jonjo Shelvey? The ex-Liverpool, Swansea and Newcastle player moved to the UAE last September to play for second-tier side Arabian Falcons– and says he has no regrets about leaving the UK.

Shelvey, 33, says he has no desire to return to the UK as he feels life is safer for his wife and children in Dubai.

The ex-England international says: ‘I just think the UK is going one way. It’s gone downhill.

‘I mean, when I was a kid growing up, it was a fantastic place to live. You could go out and play and everything was fine. There was never any trouble.

‘But now it’s just every time you read, someone’s getting stabbed and things like that. And I don’t want to bring my children up in that environment.’

Describing life in Dubai, he says: ‘You go to the mall out here and my two eldest girls they’ll go off and have a wander round the shops and I’ve got no worries.

‘Whereas back home, I could never let that happen.’

Of course, the fact that Dubai got hit by a bunch of missiles from Iran the day after Shelvey made these comments is a little bit ironic, but there’s no doubt that it’s an infinitely safer place to live in than the UK as far as violent crime goes, even if some of the things you hear about places like London are ridiculously overblown.

He also rubbished claims that he went to the UAE for money, claiming that he doesn’t even make that much money playing football in Dubai.

Shelvey says:  ‘I’ve since seen a few things like, he’s gone there for money. I’m thinking, what money? There’s no money in the UAE Second Division League.

‘The ballpark of the standard wage here is £2,000 a month for a footballer. In terms of what I’ve earned throughout my career, that’s nothing.

‘My brother earns more working in a hotel in London, so it was never about coming here for the money.’

Well, fair play to the guy. I’m sure he’s got more than enough cash saved from his days in the Premier League, and can now enjoy his footie in the sun in Dubai and not have to worry about his kids getting shanked either. Living the dream!

Let’s just hope Iran cools off with the missiles, and that the US and Israel do the same, before Shelvey is forced to move back to Romford.

For the millionaire Dubai CEO who resigned following ‘torture video’ discussion in the Epstein files, click HERE.