Shelvey estimated there were only 75 supporters watching the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Second Division League.

"It doesn't bother me," he said. "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."

"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."