Jonjo Shelvey quits England and says 'you can't wear a watch in London anymore'

Former Liverpool and Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey now plays football in the United Arab Emirates for Arabian Falcons after departing Burnley at the end of last season

Jonjo Shelvey's move to Dubai was not motivated by money but instead to ensure his children do not grow up in England. The midfielder highlighted concerns over safety in London, suggesting you cannot wear a watch in the capital city without being targeted.

Shelvey, 33, now plies his trade for Arabian Falcons in the United Arab Emirates' second division. Fixtures can see fewer than 100 supporters in the stands, with the former Liverpool and Newcastle star lining up alongside ex-Manchester United star Ravel Morrison.

The former Swansea playmaker, who has six England caps, combines coaching in Dubai with training with the Falcons. Shelvey signed a one-year deal with the club after leaving Burnley following a short spell.

The Charlton academy product was unsuccessful on trial with Hull City over the summer and suffered a hamstring injury. But the offer to join the Dubai-based club proved enough to persuade his family to leave Tyneside, where he enjoyed seven years of his playing career with the Magpies.

"I've had my time," Shelvey told BBC. "I'm happy and content. I'm just at the stage now where I want to enjoy football. It's about waking up, enjoying what I do and spending time with my family.

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"If I'm honest, I don't want my children growing up in England any more. We're very lucky that we lived in a nice part of the UK but where I'm from, originally, you can't have nice things in my opinion.

"I'd never wear a watch in London any more. You can't have your phone out in London, in my view."

Shelvey was reluctant to speak on politics but highlighted some concerns in his home country. "I'm not massive on reading politics," he said. "I just see some of the things that go on.

"I see people getting arrested for tweeting and, then, all of the flags and 'taking back the country'.

"I'm not going to sit here and comment on things like that because I'm not clever enough to, and I'll get myself into trouble if I carry on, but I just feel that the UK isn't what it was 10 to 15 years ago."

And Shelvey has rubbished claims that finances have been a motivating factor. The veteran has suggested the money pales in comparison to what he earned during a Premier League career and that his brother earns more than the league's standard wage working in a hotel.

"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," he said.

"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."

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