Pavlyuchenko: Please release me
Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has criticised the club and manager Harry Redknapp after seeing a bid from Lokomotiv Moscow turned down.
The Russian international has revealed his desire to leave the White Hart Lane outfit on more than one occasion after falling behind Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane in the pecking order.
Keane was allowed to join Celtic on loan on the final day of the winter transfer window, with former Bolton, Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen arriving on a temporary deal in his place.
The transfer window in Russia remains open until next month ahead of the start of their league season.
And the £14 million arrival from Spartak Moscow says he longs for a return to his homeland, and cannot understand why the club turned down an offer - believed to be £10.5 million from Lokomotiv - when his value will only continue to diminish while he is left on the bench.
"Sometimes I have a feeling that Redknapp jeers at me," Pavlyuchenko - who scored 14 goals in his first season at Tottenham - told Sport Express.
"I told him that it cannot be this way anymore. I need to play football.
"I think only about my move from Tottenham. Lokomotiv made a really worthy offer and if I sit on the bench they won’t offer the same sum in the summer. Redknapp is ready to let me go, but I still keep on watching our games from the bench."
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Pavlyuchenko has been used sparingly this season following the devastating form of strike-partner Defoe, but scored on his last substitute appearance against Leeds in the FA Cup.
However, the goal-getter insists that, despite his genuine affection for the Spurs fans, his love affair with the club is over.
"I am convinced that the head coach doesn’t need my services, he doesn’t see me in his playing schemes.
"I don’t see any future for myself in Tottenham. It’s a really big club with super fans, who liked me, however I think it’s an end of the novel, not with the team but with the head coach.
"I need to change the club not only to play football, but for an emotional boost."
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.
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