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Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Monday March 30 2009
Time: 3:19PM
UK time is: 06:20:24
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£7m? Do it, bite their hand off!
According to 'reports', granted not from the most reliable of sources, John Utaka is being 'linked' with a return to France, with Bordeaux in the running to sign him?
Talk of a £7m is being mentioned, which if true then we really have to take the offer!
The Nigerian has shown flashes of what he can do, but has flattered to deceive all in all and to be honest I am not sure that he will ever deliver regularly, or even semi regularly, in the premier league? Some players just are not suited to the English game - and I feel he may be one of them, he most certainly is not suited to the type of player that most Pompey fans warm to, and due to his laid back nature, and self confessed inability to alter his style he almost certainly never will be.
To be fair Utaka has rarely be used as an out and out striker, a position that he would be best suited too, but a winger is not a position that was unusual to him when we signed him. That said the last time he was given this chance as a striker he was woeful, remember the Wigan game - he could barely string a pass together and missed an absolute sitter, then again he was not the only one that day!
If Bordeaux, or anyone else for that matter, seriously are going to be offering us £7m then we must 'bite that hand off', but I would be surprised if his value had just about 'held' over the past couple years though?
As I say, if we really are going to get a good money offer, even if it means 'as little as £5m' we would have to let him go wouldn't we - his wages cannot be cheap either, so he does not exactly earn these either does he...
Another that is still being 'linked' with a move away is Sean Davis, who is still to sign a new contract of course.
Bolton are long-term suitors, but Everton have been linked a few times, with Blackburn apparently joining the queue at the weekend? I would like him to stay, and hope he does, but still have this feeling that he will leave.
Niko Kranjcar remains a 'big name player' that could go in the summer, with Pompey legend Alan McLoughlin today telling The News that he 'expects the Croat to leave regardless as to what we do this season'.
The player himself has made no secret of his desire to move on, and although you never want to lose anyone of his obvious ability to be honest if letting him go meant we could keep others then I would allow this. Technically speaking he is better than anything we have, and have had for some time, but I do not think he fits our style.
Lets see what the summer brings, but lets also make sure we do get good money for him if we do let him go, if to Arsenal then getting players in return could be the way to go? A move abroad could well be his best bet though, but we cannot forget Jamie's Dad could well have a passing interest, but could he fit in alongside his Croatian international teammate? Well I guess if anyone can 'accommodate' a player then he can...
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Your Comments
would love to get the £7 mill back but, as stated, highly unlikely, £5 mill would do aswell, i hope he goes abroad though, would hate to see a prem team buy him cheap and use him as a striker,and he comes good. with the speed and my first impressions of him, before he was put out wide, hes certainly got attributes. and alot of strikers are lazy after all.quite often the best are almost invisible until they score. still i would prefer the money and the wages off the bill.
ruffcider
would love to get the £7 mill back but, as stated, highly unlikely, £5 mill would do aswell, i hope he goes abroad though, would hate to see a prem team buy him cheap and use him as a striker,and he comes good. with the speed and my first impressions of him, before he was put out wide, hes certainly got attributes. and alot of strikers are lazy after all.quite often the best are almost invisible until they score. still i would prefer the money and the wages off the bill.
ruffcider
If Kranjcar goes I think I will actually cry for weeks. £7m for Utaka - do it!! He's getting nowhere near the first team anyway, so it's not like we're going to miss him - Kaboul/Johnson have proven that they can fill in on the right, so we'd be stupid not to really. back to Kranjcar though, and I really really would hate to see him go, but if my prediction of Bilic coming to Portsmouth holds out, then there may still be room for Kranjcar next season!! Watch this space!!
PFCGino
If Kranjcar goes I think I will actually cry for weeks. £7m for Utaka - do it!! He's getting nowhere near the first team anyway, so it's not like we're going to miss him - Kaboul/Johnson have proven that they can fill in on the right, so we'd be stupid not to really. back to Kranjcar though, and I really really would hate to see him go, but if my prediction of Bilic coming to Portsmouth holds out, then there may still be room for Kranjcar next season!! Watch this space!!
PFCGino
Jonno is the one I want to stay above all, don't know about bite their hand off though, I reckon rip their arm off somewhere near the elbow!
paultsmouth
Jonno is the one I want to stay above all, don't know about bite their hand off though, I reckon rip their arm off somewhere near the elbow!
paultsmouth
firstly... johnson needs to stay... or we're going down! And actually, I think we should be doing our best to keep kranjcar - he has been pivotal to our play in recent weeks, and all of last season.
pompeycarpet
firstly... johnson needs to stay... or we're going down! And actually, I think we should be doing our best to keep kranjcar - he has been pivotal to our play in recent weeks, and all of last season.
pompeycarpet
We'll never get 7m for him, but a man can dream eh!
SUAC51
We'll never get 7m for him, but a man can dream eh!
SUAC51
it all depends on where that 7mill will go!...saying that, 7 for Utaka is really good money!
CharlieChimes
it all depends on where that 7mill will go!...saying that, 7 for Utaka is really good money!
CharlieChimes
I'll pay for the farewell party and I'll row him to France myself!
Gandor1
I'll pay for the farewell party and I'll row him to France myself!
Gandor1
I'm with Gino on Kranjcar and would take £7 for Utaka!!
eastneydave
I'm with Gino on Kranjcar and would take £7 for Utaka!!
eastneydave
I once found a Volkswagen key ring in the street, put it on e Bay and got £10 for it. Thught that was money for old rope but if someone gives us £7m for Utaka you have got to grab it, haven't you!
hammersmithblue
I once found a Volkswagen key ring in the street, put it on e Bay and got £10 for it. Thught that was money for old rope but if someone gives us £7m for Utaka you have got to grab it, haven't you!
hammersmithblue
What an exciting rumour about Utaka, I really hope its true, and if it is, I agree there'll be a Frenchman somewhere with only one arm left! As for Kranjcar, and Davis, its always a shame to see good players move on, but it happens all the time, we have to accept that it does, and hope the money for them goes back into the pot to get other good players. Carps, I agree about Johnson, I really hope we can hold onto him in the summer - he seems to like it here, but could the lure of a big club prove too much?
tracyc
What an exciting rumour about Utaka, I really hope its true, and if it is, I agree there'll be a Frenchman somewhere with only one arm left! As for Kranjcar, and Davis, its always a shame to see good players move on, but it happens all the time, we have to accept that it does, and hope the money for them goes back into the pot to get other good players. Carps, I agree about Johnson, I really hope we can hold onto him in the summer - he seems to like it here, but could the lure of a big club prove too much?
tracyc
Well I am going to stand in the other corner as I always have done with John, and say no do not get rid. if Niko goes then we will be forced to play 4-4-2 and I think Utaka would be the perfect person to partner Crouch with Nugent on a wing as is.
sneakay
Well I am going to stand in the other corner as I always have done with John, and say no do not get rid. if Niko goes then we will be forced to play 4-4-2 and I think Utaka would be the perfect person to partner Crouch with Nugent on a wing as is.
sneakay
hahahha, this surely must be an early April fool.....who on earth would be stupid enough (apart from 'arry!) to pay 7 million for Utaka. Sneaks trouble is Utaka cant be arsed! and I dont think someone with (clearly) such a bad attitude as him should be in a position of priviledge/role model as he is.
pompey4me
hahahha, this surely must be an early April fool.....who on earth would be stupid enough (apart from 'arry!) to pay 7 million for Utaka. Sneaks trouble is Utaka cant be arsed! and I dont think someone with (clearly) such a bad attitude as him should be in a position of priviledge/role model as he is.
pompey4me
7mil?? Really, oh S'il vous plait!!!
nodster
7mil?? Really, oh S'il vous plait!!!
nodster
I think we all know (deep down) that Kranjcar will be off so I think we need to get used to that one,, but as for Utaka .. £7 will be me .. I really wanted the guy to do well but don't think he has the applicaction for Premier League..
Chix
I think we all know (deep down) that Kranjcar will be off so I think we need to get used to that one,, but as for Utaka .. £7 will be me .. I really wanted the guy to do well but don't think he has the applicaction for Premier League..
Chix
Saying that though guys (and girls), he did look like he was playing well in the highlights from the Fulham reserve game. I am sticking with him, and no-one will cahnge my mind!
sneakay
Saying that though guys (and girls), he did look like he was playing well in the highlights from the Fulham reserve game. I am sticking with him, and no-one will cahnge my mind!
sneakay
sell, sell, sell!
Squee
sell, sell, sell!
Squee
Hello Squee, where have you been? Well, I've bought the beer and the pies and the boat is tied to the pier. When we going?
Gandor1
Hello Squee, where have you been? Well, I've bought the beer and the pies and the boat is tied to the pier. When we going?
Gandor1
We'll pay his bus fare to the airport. Even if we got half our money back at least he's off the wage bill.
storagematt
We'll pay his bus fare to the airport. Even if we got half our money back at least he's off the wage bill.
storagematt
sneakay .. stay off the booze man.. it's affecting your judgement...
Chix
sneakay .. stay off the booze man.. it's affecting your judgement...
Chix
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