Forssell Staying At Birmingham

[cfc069]

News just breaking on Sky Sports News. Forssell has signed a one year loan extension at Birmingham.

[srd....]

yeah saw that awhile ago,another year wont kill him and after all at least he's getting his game every week.

[mst77]

to say the least. Well, we might as well bring in another striker who will need a year to gel with the current squad and underachieve while doing so...

To be honest I can't believe Mika is even bothering to go out on loan again. He's done everything we've asked of him since we bought him - on loan to Palace where he lit up Division 1, acting as the 4th striker for us and doing a terrific job as a super-sub, on loan to Borussia Monchengladbach where he almost singlehandedly saved them from relegation, now on loan to Birmingham where he's 5th on the EPL goals list. The kid has proven himself at every level, what else does he have left to do? Should we loan him out to Real or Inter so he can prove that he can score Champions League goals or score in Italy and Spain?

The kid deserves his chance, I for one will be gutted if he proves us all wrong at another club.

[the101er]

In related news, Alexei Smertin is wanted to stay at Portsmouth. Smertin is being credited with Pompey's late season surge into safety, taking 16 from a possible 18 points.

Smertin and Forssell: Why don't they fit at the Bridge?

I really am beginning to wonder if Chelsea don't need a new manager, either because:

a. Ranieri can't see the quality of the players he has out on loan.

or (more likely)

b. Ranieri doesn't have the power to set player policy.

[nicephoras]

I think Forsell staying at Birmingham all but assures that we are buying a big name striker this summer. Who knows; maybe that rickbreese fellow was right, and its Owen. Wouldn't mind that meself. I think that he'll be back next year or not at all. If Mutu and or Crespo still don't play as well as advertised next year, one or both will be gone. If they're not going to be sold this summer.

As for Smertin - he's a holding midfielder, a la Makelele. Not quite as capable defensively, but definitely with a better touch. Given Makelele's durability and the presence of Geremi and Parker, who can all play in that position, do we need Smertin? If we sell Geremi or loan out Parker, I'd say yes. If we don't - Smertin wouldn't have a place on the team. Which is too bad, beacuse by all accounts he's been quite good for Pompey. Of course, Geremi was good for Boro last season.

[srd....]

i might be wrong here but i thought smertin was bought under romans instructions and hence loaned out because ranieri didnt think he was good enough???

anyone know the story there???

[Clan]

I think Forsell staying at Birmingham all but assures that we are buying a big name striker this summer. Who knows; maybe that rickbreese fellow was right, and its Owen. Wouldn't mind that meself. I think that he'll be back next year or not at all. If Mutu and or Crespo still don't play as well as advertised next year, one or both will be gone. If they're not going to be sold this summer.



Agreed.

The only good thing about it is that he wasn't outright sold.
It also gives us the chance to try and tie (tap?) somebody up before the off-season by saying - "look, Hasselbaink is gone and Forssell isn't coming back, there is a place for you in the team"

[cfc069]

i might be wrong here but i thought smertin was bought under romans instructions and hence loaned out because ranieri didnt think he was good enough???

anyone know the story there???

The story is, Smertin was bought by Abramovich as a favour to the Chairman of Smertin's club 'cause they are best mates and Abramovich has deep pockets. Then went straight out on loan. It is very unlikely that Smertin will ever play for Chelsea.

Mutu is very likely gonna be run out of town, along with JFH and Veron and I think Chelsea are planning major swoops in the Summer. Crespo and Eider should stay.