http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2074745,00.html
in our dreams methinks
Charlton keen to keep changes to a minimum
Club aim to bounce straight back without losing star players
Staff and agencies
Tuesday May 8, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
Darren Bent: Going nowhere fast. Photograph: Alex Morton/Action Images
Charlton chief executive Peter Varney wants to keep Darren Bent at The Valley next season when the Addicks push for an immediate return to the Premiership. Charlton's relegation was confirmed last night as they lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham and manager Alan Pardew suggested last week that the club would not stand in the striker's way if he sought a move back to a Premeirship.
However, Varney this morning indicated the club will try to keep Bent in order to fire them back to the top flight within one season. "You saw the situation with Andrew Johnson [at Crystal Palace]," said Varney. "What we'd like to do is try to get back with the strongest possible squad we can but it's impossible to answer that this morning.
Article continues
"There are all sorts of ifs and buts about Darren, he's an England international and will obviously want to play at the highest level, and I don't know the answer yet. But we've got to keep the strongest squad possible to get back in the Premiership. You have all got to stay together. Nearly 17,000 fans have already renewed their season tickets, and did that before they knew what status we had, Championship or Premiership. That shows the faith they have got, for Alan Pardew in particular. We've got to work on that, build on that, and create an atmosphere that gets us back up."
Regarding suggestions of interest from a consortium in the club, Varney continued: "I didn't see many sheikhs at the game last night! As far as I'm concerned it is total nonsense. There's been no approach, I think I would know if there had been an approach for the club. There is no substance in the story whatsoever."
Charlton are one of four clubs considering legal action against the Premier League regarding the decision not to dock West Ham points for fielding ineligible players and Varney expects developments this week. "The dust has settled, we have gone down, Fulham have stayed up and I think the situation will evolve over the week," he said.
Comments
BUT we will sell him make no mistake.
A big offer will be too good to turn down.
If we don't sell there will be endless speculation all summer ......... then all season if and until he does go, so there needs to be a concrete decision straight away - how can we plan for next season if we don't know whether our best player is staying or if we have another £12M-£15M banked??
I guess first of all we speak to Darren to find out what he really wants - for example if it was you and a choice between staying here or playing for Newcastle or even Liverpool next season which would you honestly choose? Once that is done, I guess we should talk to likely suitors that Darren might be interested in, be upfront with them about what we want and what Darren wants, tell them the minimum price (no haggling) and if there is no offer acceptable to Charlton and Darren by early June then he stays.
But if Benty did want to stay, i'd volunteer to go round and wash his car, do his ironing and trim his lawn every week to make up for the drop in salary :-)
I'd go a hell of a lot further. I'd take one for the team
;-)
I'm not saying I'm being totally selfless ;-)
Even with Benty up front the current squad would not be that much cop in the CCC, we are too lightweight and have no central midfield at all.
LOL!
Darren Bent took time out to assure me in a dream I had last night that he would stay at least two more seasons.
Better take my teeth out then!!