On this day: Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp eyes move for Chelsea’s Shaun Wright-Phillips

On this day in 2008, Harry Redknapp dmitted: I’d love to land Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips was a Pompey target in the summer of 2008Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips was a Pompey target in the summer of 2008
Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips was a Pompey target in the summer of 2008

The Pompey boss told of his admiration for Chelsea’s £10m-rated winger.

And Redknapp confessed he was just the type of player he was looking to bring to Fratton Park that summer.

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He was keen to find a traditional attacking wide man to boost his options in right-midfield.

But the Blues manager felt such players were a dying breed, with Wright-Phillips one of the few who fit the bill.

The 26-year-old had found chances at Stamford Bridge increasingly difficult to come by following his whopping £21m move from Manchester City in 2005.

That had hampered his international prospects, with the speedster failing to feature in the past two England squads.

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Redknapp, though, could offer evidence of his ability to resurrect players’ international hopes, with Glen Johnson, David James and Jermain Defoe all featuring in the win over the USA that week in 2008.

He said: ‘I haven’t spoke to anyone at Chelsea. But I like Shaun. He’s a terrific talent.

‘I wouldn’t know how much Chelsea wanted for him, though, if they were going to sell.

‘Maybe they would want to wait until a new manager comes in.

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‘But equally they may not need a new manager to come in before they sell someone. I wouldn’t know how Chelsea run their affairs.

‘The player may want to wait until a new manager comes in and have a look at things then.

‘But maybe he would look at his situation there and think he wanted to leave.

‘Of course he’s the type of player I would love to have, though. He’s an excellent player.’

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Redknapp revealed his plans to strengthen his Pompey ranks were already well under way.

He had held extensive talks with Peter Storrie that week over recruitment plans and was looking to move quickly.

Redknapp added: ‘We had a great weekend after winning the FA Cup.

‘But we are already thinking about next season.

‘We are looking to strengthen the squad. We want to build something.

‘I spoke to Peter and we had a good chat.

‘I have gone through a few names of players with him, and we want to get them in quickly if possible.’