Redknapp Gives Up On SWP
The Portsmouth manager has spoken widely of his admiration for the Chelsea winger, who has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and has been linked with a move away from West London.
Speaking to the Portsmouth News, Redknapp confessed he would love to bring Wright-Phillips to Fratton Park.
“I could go and buy a good right-winger now, I would do,” he said before adding, “If I had the money, I would buy Shaun Wright-Phillips.”
However, having already spent a reported £9 million on Peter Crouch this summer, finances are an issue on the south coast, a fact Redknapp readily acknowledged. He said: “But that's out of the question now, I haven't got that sort of money.”
Despite having spent big on Crouch, Redknapp has previously been a shrewd operator in the transfer market bringing in players like David James, Sol Campbell and Na****wo Kanu, who many thought were at the end of their careers, and providing them with a second chance.
The Portsmouth manager admitted that he may have to try his old approach yet again as he looks to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
Three Kanus Please
“So I'll try to go and find someone like Kanu. Everyone told me he was finished, but I didn't care what anyone else thought,” admitted Redknapp, “Now I'm looking to find another two or three Kanus in different positions, who can come in here and do a job for us.”
Although the Pompey boss's frustrations with the transfer market are evident, he was quick to confess that he had no complaints when it came to finances at Portsmouth and that he had always been given the support he required.
“I've had great backing and I'm happy with the money I've had to spend,” he explained, “The owner can't just keep pumping millions and millions of pounds in. We've got to balance the books.”
The former West Ham man also admitted that he had been disappointed with the recent sale of Pedro Mendes to Rangers but realised that it was a financial decision as much as a footballing one. He admitted: “I had to sell Pedro [Mendes] and I accept that – I'm not upset about it. I didn't want to lose him, but those are the rules of the game. If I don't like it, I shouldn't be at Portsmouth.”
Redknapp finished by revealing how managing a club outside of the top four, and on a limited budget, was a much tougher proposition that many people realised. He concluded: “Clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea don't have to do that – good luck to them. Any mug can go and buy loads of players for £20m or £30m. My missus could go and buy Kaka.”
Goal.com