Pompey News

Lualua departure rumours surface again

With Lualua yet to sign a contract extension at Portsmouth, rumours of the players transfer were always going to happen.   Adding to the clubs already to be linked with a move for Lualua such as Real Mallorca and St. Etienne, premiership rivals West Ham and Manchester City are now rumoured to be interested in the DR Congo striker.

Where the contract talks have stalled is unknown, it could be on Lualua’s side, fearing that he may be frozen out of the Portsmouth first team with several new strikers being looked at, or it could be on the Portsmouth side not wanting to commit to a new deal for a striker that could be on the bench next season.

Lualua

With a figure of £2million being thrown around, this is more than likely not enough to encourage Portsmouth to sell, especially with Harry’s recient comments about wanting to tie Lualua down to a new deal as he really rates him as a player (story).  However with only a year left on his contract a larger offer may get the player who can leave on a free next year and can sign a pre-contract agreement with another club as soon as January 1st.

Would LuaLua survive as one of our main strikers if new signings come in?  Actually I think he would although it would depend on the strikers brought in, LuaLua didnt score many last season but we always looked more likely to score with him on the pitch than not.

If the striker we bring in complements LuaLua then I think we will see him in the first team again next season however if whoever is brought in is in the same mould as LuaLua it may be we will see him leave during the transfer window.  Another option of course would be to move LuaLua to the right wing although we know this is a poisition he is not completely happy playing in.

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• TrackBack said:

  July 16, 2006 3:10 PM

• Phillie said:

  LuaLua's best position is as a "wing-forward" in a five man midfield.  He is obviously a gifted player, yet his contributions could have been more productive if he had used the players around him.
  
  Benjani came into the side and received criticism after his £4m+ move, until the fans finally realised how tirelessly he works.  Benjani is very mobile and he made numerous runs to be able to receive a pass but his efforts appeared to be fuitless with LuaLua looking to do it alone.
  
  As a wide player, LuaLua has the pace to scare defences and suppliment a lone striker (effective for away games), i do not believe you could deploy him as a winger in a 4 man midfield as his attempts at tricks in our own half is too risky.
  July 17, 2006 7:42 AM