Well, we did say that Blackburn boss Mark Hughes was playing with fire by bigging up the form of Benni McCarthy, going as far to say that he’s had the better season than Tottenham striker and current Premiership golden boy Dimitar Berbatov.
Now ol Bensy is quoted as saying how much he misses Champions League football, just a few days after Blackburn officially could not even qualify for the UEFA Cup, and pretty much got on his knees and begged Jesus that Chelsea – and former boss Jose Mourinho – go in for him,
“I miss Champions League football,” McCarthy was quoted as saying in The Sun.
“The challenge of being part of the best, playing against the best. Champions League football means everything to any footballer with ambitions.
“But at 29 years old, if a club like Chelsea comes looking for you then you must seriously consider the opportunity.
“But a chance to go to Chelsea – or any other Champions League team in England or Spain – would be hard to turn down.”
“Blackburn gave me my chance and even though it was not a big transfer fee, I trust that I have already paid them back with my commitment and goals this season.
“If I end up being sold by Blackburn and they make a good profit, fantastic, they deserve it.
“The people at the club and the fans are great.”
Some great reverse-tapping up at work there. Benni’s had a great season, and with Chelsea’s supposed new taste for prudent spending it might not be silly to think the club will target him as support for Didier Drogba. Then again, Mark Hughes’ point was that if Berbatov is worth 30m, then Benni is worth at least that. Which, of course, is complete bollocks.