http://www.fansfc.com/chelsea/news.asp?newsid=124659 Not sure how reliable this source is but I saw it mentioned in another article (though I can't remember where at the moment). Anyone know anything about this guy?
Why would Chelsea would buy Smertin for 3.5 million and then loan him out? Apparently all was revealed this afternoon on 5 Live by a guy who has been studying Russian football. Smertin was due to join Torpedo Moscow from Bordeaux. However, Moscow were in the process of being taken over at the time by one of Abramovich's mates. The takeover for what ever reason fell through leaving Smertin clubless. He had already left Bordeaux who were not too keen to welcome him back. The bloke trying to acquire Torpedo told Smertin he would not leave him without a club and would sort him out with a team so he asked Abramovich to take him to Chelsea from where he would be sold to Torpedo if the Torpedo sale gets finalised. As a result, for the time being, Ranieri has a player who he has no intention of playing. This bloke on 5 Live also said that although Smertin has made a name for himself playing as defensive midfielder he is actually better as an attacking midfielder. He can play in a Pompey shirt for the rest of the season except when we play Chelsea! So thats pretty much all I know!It may just be a rumour, so dont take it as 100% !
