Blackburn close in on Chimbonda

Blackburn close in on Chimbonda

by tuan.blogger.hettien ~ Thursday, August 27, 2009

Blackburn have confirmed that Tottenham right-back Pascal Chimbonda is undergoing a medical at the club on Thursday afternoon.

Rovers hope to conclude the move for the 30-year-old France international for a fee of about of £2m.

And the deal would mean Rovers would let left-back Stephen Warnock leave, with talks on-going with Aston Villa.

"If Pascal gets done here I'm sure Stephen will get sorted out," said Rovers manager Sam Allardyce.

"Stephen has had permission to talk to Aston Villa and we have got Pascal here.

"I think we have to get a replacement before we let Stephen go."


Chimbonda made his name as a right-back but Allardyce has hinted that he could play the defender elsewhere in his backline.

Having signed Lars Jacobsen and Michel Salgado this summer, Blackburn have plenty of cover on the right of defence but are light in the centre and on the left.

Chris Samba and Gael Givet are the only two fit centre-backs with captain Ryan Nelsen currently sidelined with a knee injury .

And Warnock's impending departure leaves 21-year-old Martin Olsson as the only recognised left-back, although Givet has also played there.

Allardyce said: "It is the versatility I have chosen to go with rather than look for perhaps an out-and-out left-back.

"Chimbonda has huge experience of Premier League football and he is eager and ready to get away from Tottenham because he has not played enough games for them and he just wants to play football."

Chimbonda rejoined Tottenham in January after six months with Premier League rivals Sunderland.

He began his career in England at Wigan after joining from French side Bastia.