David Bentley still hasn’t signed his new contract at Blackburn Rovers, lending further support to the argument that the winger will be moving to pastures new in the summer. Unsurprisingly, Chelsea appear to be in the running for the England international, who have just the 137 midfielders on their books at the moment and could do with a little more competition for places. The other team in the running appear to be Tottenham ‘we want lots of England players – at any price’ Hotspur, with The Sun reporting that Mark Hughes is unlikely to tie his star player down.
Asked at yesterday’s England press conference whether he had signed his deal, Bentley replied: “No I haven’t.”
The FA media chief then moved in to stop him answering further questions.
Blackburn missed out on Europe this season and Bentley admitted watching the Champions League final had whetted his appetite.
He said: “They’re the matches I want to play in. I want to reach the top of my game and I haven’t done that yet.
“I wouldn’t say I’m impatient — but I’m hungry for success.”
It’s unlikely Bentley is going to enjoy much success at Ewood Park, unless that is how an 8th-placed finish in the Premier League can be described. I wonder if Arsene Wenger wishes he had kept on to the talented and outspoken winger, who has shone for Blackburn to the extent where many now regard him as Beckham’s natural successor in the national team.