Bentley - On the Move In The Summer?

[NG32]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7324224.stm

 

Bentley hints at Blackburn exit 

 

Bentley wants a regular England starting place

David Bentley says he has not ruled out leaving Blackburn to further his goal of becoming an England regular.

 

The 23-year-old is in talks with Rovers over a new contract but admits he wants to play regular European football in order to gain England recognition.

 

Rovers are still in the hunt for a Uefa Cup spot, but Bentley said: "Time will tell over the next few months what will happen. It's a big decision in my life.

 

"You never know in football. Sometimes you have to make strong decisions."

 

Bentley has shown in the past he is willing to take difficult decisions, handing in a transfer request at Arsenal in 2005 in pursuit of first-team football.

 

He also caused controversy by making himself unavailable for England Under-21s last year, citing tiredness and his desire to extend his international career in the long term.

 

I want to go to the World Cup in two years and I want to be starting

 

Blackburn's David Bentley

 

Blackburn are seven points behind fifth-placed Everton in the race for a guaranteed Uefa Cup spot.

 

Asked if Blackburn missing out on Europe would precipitate a move, Bentley - who has been linked with Liverpool - added: "I won't answer that. I'll leave it up to you to decide.

 

"I want to play European football, I want to play at the top of my game. I want to go to the World Cup in two years and I want to be starting."

 

Bentley must force his way ahead of David Beckham, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon if he is to become a regular on England's right flank.

 

But he said: "I'm in the early stages of my England career. I'm going to have to work hard, it's up to me to take the position.

 

606: DEBATE

When was the last time Rovers sold a player for him to go on and be truly successful with another club?

 

jeremy_fitch

 

"There's a lot of good players in this country, but if I perform then I believe I can take it, so we'll have to see."

 

Bentley came off the bench to replace David Beckham for the last half-hour of a drab 1-0 defeat in Paris but said he did not particularly enjoy the experience.

 

"It was a strange game. It wasn't very enjoyable. It wasn't the best of games watching from the bench," he said.

 

"It's the stage of the season we're at. I don't think there should be a game like that anyway.

 

"I think it was a difficult situation. A lot of the lads are preparing themselves for the Premier League and the Champions League so it can be difficult to play a game like that for both sides.

 

"It was a half-hearted, 50% effort. Everyone wants to play well for England but sometimes it just happens like that.

 

"It wasn't enjoyable for me but you try to have an effect on the game, you go out there and try to have an effect but it is difficult to get into a game like that."

 

 

 

[Guest alex]

He's probably daft to say it in public but he's spot on about an England friendly at this stage of the season. Would love to see him here btw.

[Guest teepee]

if we are going with a 4-4-2 next season he'd be a great signing.

 

bentley, milner, zoggy and duff should cover the wings for us.

 

if we, however, stick with 4-3-3 he'd be a waste of money

[Guest michaelfoster]

will end up at somewhere like Liverpool, would never come here.

[NG32]

KK might be able to talk him round.

[TRon]

He's ours if Liverpool stay out of it.

[STM]

Would be a great signing. I think he's got Liverpool written all over him.

[Gash]

Typical Liverpool signing tbh

[TRon]

We'll just have to settle for SWP then. Bugger.

[Guest alex]

if we are going with a 4-4-2 next season he'd be a great signing.

 

bentley, milner, zoggy and duff should cover the wings for us.

 

if we, however, stick with 4-3-3 he'd be a waste of money

He'll probably play CM long-term imo. He plays there sometimes anyway. Plus, I don't see 4-3-3 as anything other than a short-term solution.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I don't think Man Utd would need him, Chelsea and/or Liverpool maybe. If he doesn't come to us maybe he'll sign for Chelsea and SWP can come here.

[Guest optimistic nit]

Typical Liverpool signing tbh

 

 

really? apart from pennant when have they ever signed a player like bentley? they are more into foreign markets and good youth tbh, they dont seem too keen on signing brittish talents in their early 20's. they dont need him either.

[STM]

I don't think Man Utd would need him, Chelsea and/or Liverpool maybe. If he doesn't come to us maybe he'll sign for Chelsea and SWP can come here.

 

Man Utd don't always need players to sign them TBH. Would suprised me if they forced Scholes into retirement or got rid of Fletcher and signed Bentley. SAF knows no limits and wouldn't want Chelsea or Arsenal getting him.

 

Unlikely all the same.

[La Parka]

if we are going with a 4-4-2 next season he'd be a great signing.

 

bentley, milner, zoggy and duff should cover the wings for us.

 

if we, however, stick with 4-3-3 he'd be a waste of money

He'll probably play CM long-term imo. He plays there sometimes anyway. Plus, I don't see 4-3-3 as anything other than a short-term solution.

 

He started as a striker, he fills in in the "hole" for blackburn on occasion. Plays all across the midfield really. Would be amazing here, aint gonna happen though.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

I don't think Man Utd would need him, Chelsea and/or Liverpool maybe. If he doesn't come to us maybe he'll sign for Chelsea and SWP can come here.

 

Man Utd don't always need players to sign them TBH. Would suprised me if they forced Scholes into retirement or got rid of Fletcher and signed Bentley. SAF knows no limits and wouldn't want Chelsea or Arsenal getting him.

 

Unlikely all the same.

 

Hmm, yep, I didn't think of the Scholes central role, was more thinking of the RW spot. Could be a decent shout that.

[STM]

Typical Liverpool signing tbh

 

 

really? apart from pennant when have they ever signed a player like bentley? they are more into foreign markets and good youth tbh, they dont seem too keen on signing brittish talents in their early 20's. they dont need him either.

 

Liverpools problems have always been in the wide areas. Full backs and winger are exactly what they need. Someone like Bentley to complement Torres and Gerrard would be ideal for them.

[TRon]

Typical Liverpool signing tbh

 

 

really? apart from pennant when have they ever signed a player like bentley? they are more into foreign markets and good youth tbh, they dont seem too keen on signing brittish talents in their early 20's. they dont need him either.

 

I think they might make an exception for Bentley. Usuall British talent is wildly over-rated and over-priced but Bentley does look a class player. Not the quickest, but his delivery and general football intelligence is something else. A right-sided Scott Sellars - Keegan would love him.

#

[Shearergol]

One thing in our advantage is the fact that Liverpool's owners won't commit to spending that sort of money until they've decided if they're selling or not.

 

I honestly think it'll be between us and Spurs.

[NG32]

KK will get him here. 

 

 

[gray]

i would have said he's a chelsea signing tbh, like when they signed SWP but didnt really need him

[Shearergol]

i would have said he's a chelsea signing tbh, like when they signed SWP but didnt really need him

 

A lot will depend on whether or not people like Lampard, Drogba, shevchenko etc are sold in summer. I can see them having a bit of a clear out, and if they do, Bentley is just the type of player they'll be looking at.

[hallihg]

Would be a decent signing.

[Shearergol]

Would be a decent signing.

 

 

Words of wisdom

[Guest Toepoke]

Well if he wants to play for England there ain't much point to coming here. Can't see it happening unfortunately.

[Guest pistonism]

would be thrilled looking him playing in a black and white shirt.

 

but nah, he would go to Tottenham or so.