Diarra hints at Blues move

Pompey midfielder admits interest in Stamford Bridge return

Last updated: 17th February 2008

Lassana Diarra Portsmouth January 2008

Diarra: Big plans

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Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has hinted that he could be interested in a return to Chelsea in the future.

Diarra joined Pompey from Arsenal in the January transfer window as manager Harry Redknapp paid £5.5million for the French international's services.

And the 22-year-old, who spent two years with Chelsea before joining the Gunners, has gone on to impress for Pompey after being forced to settle for limited opportunities at Arsenal.

Diarra has also targeted a place in Europe with Pompey, but admits he may look for a return to Stamford Bridge one day.

European target

"We have good players here (at Portsmouth), and though the objectives are different from Arsenal and Chelsea, we will try to go into Europe and do something good," Diarra told The Times.

"It's not a problem for me. Maybe one day I will go back to a team like Chelsea, but I don't want to think about that."

And Diarra is adamant that his only reason for leaving the Gunners was to find first-team football and that he holds no grudge against Emirates Stadium boss Wenger.

"I can say nothing against Arsene Wenger or Arsenal," Diarra added.

No problem

"They are top of the league, but I just wanted to play. The manager said he would prefer to keep me but I said, 'no'.

"I had no problem with him. My dad said to me, 'you have to play', and a very close friend of mine, who is not in football, said the same thing.

"It's not easy when you are on the bench all the time. You have to fight. I have to play every week, I can't just play 20 minutes or cup games.

"No, I'm not 18 or 19 any more. That's why I'm here. It's not especially for my country, it's for me."