It’s taken a while, but Pompey have finally got their man after signing Peter Crouch from Liverpool for £11million. Well, the deal is worth that amount, although Harry Redknapp has probably been wily enough to suggest they only pay the full shebang if the striker scores 50 goals for his new club and entertains the Fratton Park faithful with his robotic dancing.
The BBC report that Crouch is happy and so is his manager – what a great way to start a weekend on the South Coast by landing an England international! Have Liverpool let a class act go when they’re supposed to be trying to win the title?
Crouch added: “This club is going places and they can match my ambitions.
“The chance of regular first team football was part of the appeal. I know I’ll have to work hard to prove myself in training, but I believe my best years are in front of me.
“I had a fantastic three years at Liverpool and I would not change it for the world. I am privileged to have played for such a top club.
“Towards the end I did not get as many games as I would have liked but I will only take good memories away.
“In no way am I stepping down, I feel I am joining a club that is going places with a new stadium, a new training ground and some very good players.”
Redknapp added: “Bringing a player like Peter here shows how far we have come and how far we can go. I’m delighted he’s back.
“I never expected to see him back here. He went off to Liverpool and did a fantastic job in my opinion and I’m looking forward to seeing him and Jermain Defoe up front – a big one and a little one – and we’ve got other good forwards here.”
How many Premier League goals will Defoe and Crouch next season? Our bet is on 31; which would be 19 for the little fella and 12 for the big chap – not bad for a strike pairing. The 27-year-old will also get to play in Europe next season, albeit it in the UEFA Cup where Pompey will have nothing to fear. Is Crouch the best signing of the summer so far or is that going way too far?