Football FanCast
columnist Rob
Facey wonders just how high Portsmouth should be aiming if they pull off
another transfer coup by luring Shaun Wright-Phillips to Fratton Park.
After signalling his
intentions after signing big names in Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch in the
past year, Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp now has his sights set on Chelsea
midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The tricky winger has
failed to hold down a regular place at Stamford Bridge since his move from Man
City and it is thought Scolari has him on a list of players he is prepared to
let go this summer.
Redknapp, however, has other plans for the England international and wants him to be his fourth summer signing at Fratton Park joining Glen Little, Ben Sahar and Crouch.
"At the moment we like him, he is a good player but he belongs to Chelsea," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.
"We have spent some money on Peter Crouch, so the situation is that we have two other options but Shaun Wright-Phillips is a terrific player."
While assessing the rest of his playing squad, Redknapp conceded that he may need a few more faces; possibly to help out the aging legs in defence.
"I feel we need to improve in one or two areas but every manager says that and I am sure we will get one or two before the start of the season."
Indeed, every manager does say that but not all are as wily in the transfer market as Redknapp.
Portsmouth, who have the UEFA Cup to contend with next season, are looking to cement their rapid progression into a top Premier League club and need a bigger squad to do so.
After grinding their way to FA Cup glory last year they now find themselves in a position where they must continue climbing the hill or risk falling down due to the added pressure they have placed on themselves by being successful. And the only way to do that is to bring in more quality players.
Crouch's move to Portsmouth is arguably the best piece of business all summer so far, but would the signing of SWP eclipse this?
Is he the sort of player that fans want to see at Fratton Park or are his performances, which range from the sublime to the ineffective, too much of a gamble for what will be a big money move?
A season long loan would be a better option for Redknapp to see how he copes on the South Coast but that is unlikely to appeal to Chelsea.
Should the club be looking at long term back up to Campbell and Distin at the back rather than another flair player?
Would signing SWP mean that Portsmouth would be expected to qualify for Europe? They would have so much quality in that squad on paper, would it be unreasonable for fans to demand fifth place?