An article from Pompey Malta about a former French international who he things is someone we should go all out to sign.
Having a squad of less than 10 players is a dreadful situation. On Friday, talk of Aaron Mokoena quitting, despite the fact that this might have raised a few questions about any truth in this, gives everyone involved with Pompey a headache.
At this point in time, just a few weeks prior to pre-season, Steve Cotterill needs numbers. Yet unknown the transfer kitty that Cotterill has to work with this transfer market regardless of the latest CSI take-over, whatever this may be, Portsmouth Football Club would probably be home for many unwanted players; I mean players who are loaned out by their parent-clubs.
However, there is also the other option; that of free-agents. This week, Steve Cotterill, talking to The News confirmed that we have captured the first free-agent; David Norris. The manager, who is celebrating his first Pompey birthday this week, would have to turn on many players alike.
But the question is; are there any quality free-agents? This brings me to the subject. Earlier this month, Patrick Vieira has become a free-agent. Albeit definitely being a much sought after defensive midfielder, this is the one player we need, only if we could convince him to go to a lower league and reach an agreement in wages paid as he looks to remain in England: “I still want to play and if I have an exciting proposition here (France) or somewhere else in England, I would probably play on” said the 35-year old-to-be ex-Arsenal and ex-Manchester City (among many other great clubs). The stumbling block would surely be his wages, not that he needs any money, and the league we compete in.
But if Pompey could offer him a player-coach role, this could lure him to the South. It is believed Manchester City’s Mancini have offered him a coaching role, but the Senegalese-born believes he still has some other months to give on the football pitch: “If I have nothing exciting, I will stop. There is a chance I could stop, but at the moment my mind isn’t telling me that I will be stopping in a couple of months.”
Portsmouth is crying for a player who could bring back a smile back on our face. Patrick Vieira, although he may not be wanted in the highest level, would be the transfer of the decade if Cotterill and Lampitt with CSI’s funds had to somehow, make this happen. Vieira, a true-leader by nature (he was captain of Arsenal for almost 4 seasons) or anyone of his calibre is the missing man we have at Portsmouth.
If CSI wants the club to move forward, and David Lampitt truly wants a way forward, he should work around the clock and try to bring a player we could build our team around for another year in the Championship, if we are to offer any challenge for the play-offs. Perhaps we could use any of the transfer kitty in his wages and look out for other free-agents on the cheap and loan some others. A 2 year contract could suit him well.
Having such a legendary player at Portsmouth, along side with the much respected and ex-team-mate Nwankwu Kanu, would be a fresh new page for Pompey. So let Pompey offer the “excitement” Vieira is after and start resurrecting the club!
PuP
Written by Pompey Malta.
The views within this article are the views of the individual who wrote and submitted this piece, sometimes solely theirs. They are not necessarily shared by the Vital Pompey Site Journalists.
