Redknapp forced into sales

Pompey boss frustrated by lack of transfer activity

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 15th August 2008

Harry Redknapp Portsmouth manager

Redknapp: Needs to create funds

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Harry Redknapp admits he was reluctant to sell Portuguese ace Pedro Mendes to Rangers.

The Portsmouth boss allowed the midfielder to join the Scottish giants on Friday in a £3million deal.

Having splashed out this summer on the likes of Peter Crouch and Younes Kaboul, Redknapp had been told that he must sell before he can buy.

He has so far been frustrated in his attempts to move on a number of the fringe players in his squad, with some refusing offers from elsewhere.

Redknapp concedes that his hand was forced over the sale of Mendes, with little alternative available to him.

Comfort zone

"I had the opportunity to sell a few players but they wouldn't go," said Redknapp.

"Pedro was way up on the list of players I wanted to sell.

"The ones I could have sold had good opportunities to move to good clubs and they didn't want to move.

"They're probably in the comfort zone here and they're quite happy not to be in the team but to just do their little bit and plod along.

"But with Pedro, it's a move he fancied when it was put to him and it's a move we had to do financially - so we move on."

With little money left to spend, Redknapp has used the loan market to good effect during the close season.

Experience

Talented Israel international Ben Sahar has already joined from Chelsea, while Jerome Thomas arrived at Fratton Park on Friday in a season-long move from Charlton.

The winger is delighted to be back in the Premier League, and feels his development will be aided by Pompey's impressive batch of experienced professionals.

"European football this season is definitely going to be a good experience for me," Thomas told Sky Sports News.

"It's going to be good for a lot of the players that haven't experienced it here, and then there's obviously players here like (Jermain) Defoe and (Peter) Crouch and Sol Campbell and (Sylvain) Distin who are quality players and are going to help me bring my game on.

"I'm looking forward to playing with them.

"I hope to be involved and show what I can do. Hopefully I can make some assists, get some goals and move on my game and bring some excitement to the Portsmouth fans."