Soccer: Raul Meireles insists he is no "Judas" after trading Liverpool for Chelsea.

A shock written transfer request submitted in the final hour before Wednesday night's deadline paved the way for the Portugal midfielder to make the switch to Stamford Bridge.

It also brought criticism from sections of the Liverpool support, but 28-year-old Meireles has defended his conduct and stressed the move was not motivated by money.

"These are things that happen in football. I can only say good things about Liverpool. It was a fantastic year," Meireles told Radio e Televisao de Portugal."People think I am a Judas and that it was because of the money. It was not because of that. I will explain it later. Things are still fresh."

Meireles had fallen down the pecking order at Anfield after manager Kenny Dalglish's summer recruitment drive saw Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson added at great expense to an already-congested central midfield area.

Despite the exit on loan of Alberto Aquilani, for a second successive season, and Joe Cole, Meireles had no hesitation in linking up again with Andre Villas-Boas, under whose management he previously played at Porto.

"It all happened very fast," he continued. "I am not the only one to blame for my exit from Liverpool, but I will never stop loving the club and I have great friends there.

"The most important thing is to give my all every time and try to help Chelsea win titles."