Pompey rent Chelsea Starlet

Portsmouth made their second signing of the summer today after completing the loan capture of Chelsea striker Ben Sahar. The 18 year-old Israel striker will spend six months at the South Coast club after agreeing to be a part of Pompey’s first European campaign.

Sahar has already made three first team appearances for Chelsea whilst also enjoying brief spells at Championship clubs QPR and Sheffield Wednesday. Although his goal scoring ratio isn’t the best, there have been rave reviews from fans for his team work skills and his build up play.

Sahar told the club website, “Portsmouth are a great team who can win trophies. They are now in Europe and that will be a big challenge as well.”

It was thought originally that Sahar was heading to NEC Nijmegen but the lure of UEFA Cup football has proved to have been to big to pass up. It was also said that the Dutch club could not afford the demands of the Israel international.

Sahar will be challenging Nugent, Defoe, Kanu and Utake for a place in Redknapp’s starting eleven as he comes to face one of his biggest experiences yet in his career. This deal will allow new Chelsea manager Scolari to keep a close eye on Sahar as he tries to figure out the ‘new Chelsea’.

Sahar added, “I’m ready for the challenge of being part of such a big club like Portsmouth. I want to be part of it and to show that I deserve to be here.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about Harry Redknapp, the club and the staff and they obviously had a very good season.”

Comment

In my opinion this is a very good signing by Redknapp. Some people are forgetting that for the first time next season, clubs are allowed to have seven substitutes on the bench. Pompey will need all the players they can get to have a good UEFA Cup and League campaign. However I expect Sahar to make the majority of his appearances against lower league teams or in the lower rounds of the Carling and FA Cup.

Sahar will not be available to play in Pompey’s first league fixture of the season, as Pompey play his employers Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

All I can say is welcome Mr. Sahar, let’s hope you’re a hidden gem and become Israel’s version of Wayne Rooney (in terms of footballing skill at least.) You certainly have nothing to lose.