Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp wanted to keep http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonathan-Woodgate-c19069 and Peter Crouch
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp admitted that he did not want to release defender Jonathan Woodgate, whom he considered to one of the top defenders in the English Premier League. The 31-year-old former England international joined Stoke City in
the summer transfer window after the London club revealed they no longer required his services.
Woodgate’s time at White Hart Lane was injury plagued and the central defender made just 65 appearances in all competitions and scored 3 goals. While Redknapp revealed he wanted to keep Woodgate, he understood the managements concern in retaining an injury
prone player. The English manager said he felt the defender could go on to be one of the top players as long as he remained fit.
Redknapp revealed:
“I wanted to keep http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jonathan-c18993. I wouldn't have let him go.”
He continued:
“He was convinced he was fit again. It was gutting but I can see the club's point of view. He had barely kicked a ball in two years."
Redknapp compared Woodgate to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rio-Ferdinand-c31173, who are currently considered to be the top centre-backs in the Premier League. The only problem Woodgate and Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King have
had are fitness problems, which is the reason why Redknapp could not retain Woodgate for the new campaign.
The Spurs manager said:
“If he can stay fit he is one of the best. He and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ledley-King-c21859 are up there with the John Terrys and Rio Ferdinands of the world.”
Along with Woodgate, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Peter-Crouch-c29741 was another player Redknapp did not want to see leaving White Hart Lane in the summer transfer window. Redknapp revealed it had been the club’s decision to sell Crouch, in an attempt to raise funds for the
sale of Gary Cahill and Scott Parker. Tottenham Hotspur managed to sign Parker but were unable to bring in Cahill from Bolton Wanderers.
Redknapp said:
“Wilson's deal was dependent on Crouchy going. I was looking at the time to bring http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gary-Cahill-c14439 in and we needed to raise some money to do that, and bring in Scott Parker, so we ended up getting around about £20 million for the two.”
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