Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has no regrets rejecting Chelsea during his career.
Three times Gerrard has resisted the lure of Roman Abramovich's money and the lustre of a becoming the jewel in the crown of a team that has won a hat-trick of Premier League titles in the past six seasons.
Instead, he has allowed his heart to rule his head - and found himself fighting a losing battle as Liverpool have been paralysed by debts built up by former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Gerrard was scarred by the experience of Liverpool finishing seventh last season and England's subsequent failure at the World Cup. But at the age of 30 there are no regrets.
He said: "I don't think sacrifice is the right word to stay at Liverpool.
"Playing for Liverpool and being the captain, I wouldn't call that a sacrifice - I would call that living a dream.
"Of course there have been opportunities in the past to move on - Chelsea and other times as well - but I love this club, I want to stay and be successful because when that day comes, I know it will mean an awful lot more to me.
"From a selfish point of view, I want a short-term fix from the new owners, but I'm not naive enough to think it is about me or the players coming to the final part of their careers.
"The Americans have got the right idea by trying to build a platform for this club for many years but I'm looking for the quick-fix because I have only got four or five years left at this level and I want to win trophies before I finish. That is what I go to work for."
He added: "The last 12 months have been the most difficult since I was 18 and broke into the first team.
"We finished seventh in the league and then there was all the stuff that went on off the pitch. Hopefully that is all behind us now - and we can move on!"
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