| Â | | | | at finding the back of the net with his head. |
| The current climate in English football today may | | | | This article is not totally aimed at slating the striker, |
| dictate that transfer fees become inflated somewhat | | | | with the ball on the ground Crouch is extremely |
| but it is generally the case when domestic clubs enter | | | | gifted, he reminds me of Tor Andre Flo when he |
| into deals with clubs on the continent and certainly | | | | was at Chelsea, a lanky player who showed |
| not when the player in question is far from being | | | | surprisingly good touch for such a tall man. Despite |
| considered a first team player at his current club. | | | | criticising his heading, I also feel that the former |
| Last term Peter Crouch started just nine games for | | | | Tottenham man's knock-downs for his strike partners |
| Liverpool, mainly being used as a substitute behind | | | | are also a fine tool he possesses, this is keenly felt |
| the prolific Fernando Torres and although he | | | | whenever he links up with Michael Owen for England |
| managed 11 goals surely a valuation of £11 million | | | | I would suspect that this is precisely what Redknapp |
| is wide of the mark for a player who has never really | | | | will be looking for next season. |
| shone at any level of football. | | | | Harry is a very shrewd man when it comes to the |
| There will be critics of my argument of course who | | | | transfer market and although he is better known for |
| will point to his international record, after all he has | | | | being somewhat of a wheeler dealer and looking to |
| netted 14 times in 28 games but a number of these | | | | sign free transfers rather than splashing the cash, his |
| goals have come in meaningless games against teams | | | | last big money signing has paid off in the shape of |
| which England should have walked over. Case in point | | | | Jermain Defoe, scoring eight goals in 12 games since |
| being his hat-trick against Jamaica in a World Cup | | | | his January move from Spurs. Redknapp must surely |
| warm-up match where he also missed a penalty and | | | | see something in Crouch which I don't, perhaps he |
| the national side were victorious to the tune of six | | | | sees him as the perfect foil for Defoe and I have to |
| goals. | | | | admit that the so called 'little and large' partnerships |
| Throughout his career the Macclesfield-born striker | | | | have worked in the past. Perhaps then with height on |
| has never been a potent finisher, managing just four | | | | his side you can bet that Crouch will be requested to |
| goals in a loan spell at Norwich and a paltry six during | | | | nod a few balls into Defoe's path and that Pompey |
| his time at Aston Villa. He has however enjoyed a | | | | will be a good odds for a UEFA Cup spot next |
| couple of purple patches at Portsmouth and | | | | season. |
| Southampton where he bagged almost a goal every | | | | The money will also be invaluable to current boss |
| two games, the latter earning him the £7 million | | | | Rafael Benitez as he looks to seal the transfer of |
| pound move to Merseyside. | | | | Gareth Barry from Aston Villa. Liverpool have been |
| For such a large amount of money though Harry | | | | struggling to find the money needed to bring the |
| Redknapp - or any prospective manager - would | | | | midfielder to Anfield and with the initial transfer fee |
| surely be looking for a player, given his height | | | | being rumoured at £9 million from the Crouch |
| advantage against most, to be equally adept with the | | | | deal I would certainly bet on Barry joining Liverpool |
| ball in the air as at his feet. This cannot be said about | | | | sooner rather than later. |
| Crouch who for all his 6ft 7" frame is extremely poor | | | | |