Harry Redknapp accepts the brilliance of Lassana Diarra
will be lost to Portsmouth soon enough. But before the 22-year-old
Frenchman leaves to fulfil his destiny at one of Europe's great
clubs, Redknapp believes he has the talent, strength and desire to
drive Portsmouth to their first FA Cup final in 69
years.
For the Portsmouth manager, this afternoon's fifth-round tie
away to Preston represents a considerable obstacle to his Cup
ambition. And there is no doubting his admiration for the player
who was not prepared to sit and wait for scraps of opportunity at
his previous clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal.
He has already made an impact at Fratton Park, scoring the first
goal in Pompey's 2-1 win over Plymouth in the fourth round and last
weekend claiming the late winner at Bolton. It was Redknapp who
oversaw the development of exceptional young players such as Rio
Ferdinand and Frank Lampard when they were at West Ham, but he
considers Diarra equally as talented and certain of a glittering
future.
Lassana is one of the best I've worked with" said Redknapp. "We
want him as long as we can have him but who wouldn't want to play
for Barcelona or other clubs of that stature, which he is capable
of doing?"