Chimbonda defends exit

Defender prepares to face Wigan boo-boys

Last updated: 25th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Chimbonda defends exit

Chimbonda: booed on return to Wigan

Every time I go back to Wigan they boo me. Maybe for them that's normal but for me it's not. I spent a good year at Wigan and I did my best on the pitch every game.

Pascal Chimbonda
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Pascal Chimbonda is preparing to run a gauntlet of hate when he returns to Wigan on Boxing Day.

Blackburn's French full-back spent a year at Wigan before joining Tottenham but has defended his desire to play for a bigger club.

Chimbonda infuriated Wigan by handing in a transfer request at the end of his first season - and he has been booed by fans every time he has played against them since.

Chimbonda said: "Every time I go back to Wigan they boo me. Maybe for them that's normal but for me it's not.

"I spent a good year at Wigan and I did my best on the pitch every game. When the opportunity came to go to a club to a different level I couldn't refuse it.

"It was good opportunity to play in Europe and that's why I left Wigan.

"The fans may be upset but if you are ambitious and want to play at the highest level you have to take these opportunities."

Blackburn are in the middle of a spell playing all Chimbonda's previous three clubs - they lost against Tottenham last weekend and Sunderland, where the defender spent an unhappy six months last season, are the opponents on Monday.

Chimbonda added: "We lost against Spurs but I hope we win against my other two previous clubs.

"I had six months at Sunderland, but I did not get me the opportunity to play - that's why I preferred to leave and go somewhere else.

"Now I just want to put that behind me and play well for Blackburn."

Rovers will be without Vince Grella as well as David Dunn for the trip to Wigan and both are likely to be missing for Sunderland's visit on Monday.

Chris Samba is back after a stomach bug however and Brett Emerton could also return from injury.

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