Birmingham City battler Lee Carsley wants a Premier League return

Sep 8 2008 By Andy Walker

BLUES battler Lee Carsley is excited by the arrival of sheikhs, Russian oil tycoons and even Far East investors because it proves that the Premier League is the place to be.

The old school midfield general hasn’t become disillusioned by the new-age of mega-rich owners that is sweeping the football industry instead he believes Blues should be inspired by the billionaire bonanza.

The Abu Dhabi United Group’s sensational takeover at Manchester City made Carson Yeung’s messy attempt to seize control at St Andrew’s look like a playground squabble over pocket money.

However while some would sound the death knell for football as the ever-growing elite continue to get fatter, Carsley isn’t so pessimistic because he believes the cash will still filter down the leagues.

The Blues skipper is even a fan of the maligned transfer window although he admits he didn’t stay up late on Monday night watching last-ditch transfers unravel.

Now the former Everton midfielder is even hungrier to lead Blues to promotion at the first attempt and get back up there with the rich and famous.

“I like the fact that billionaires are getting involved,” admitted the bald Brummie. “The Premier League really is a fantastic thing and it’s something that we in England take for granted but it’s watched throughout the world.

“I think bringing in the likes of Robinho can only benefit the game because it gives fans the chance to see these players live.

Money

“The money at some point will come down, it’s being ploughed into the English game by all these billionaires so it will filter down. If anything it just reinforces the fact that the Premier League is where it’s happening.

“The young lads should realise what a fantastic chance they’ve got to see the world and have a fantastic career.

“I like the transfer window, I think it’s exciting. I think with it shutting just after the season has started it gives managers the chance to look at where they are becasue you’ve got pre-season and then you’ve got four or five league games. It gives managers the chance to strengthen if they need to.

“I didn’t sit down on Monday night watching the transfer window unfold, I think in that sense players are pretty selfish because it’s down to the manager to do the worrying and bargain hunting.

“I think a lot of fans would have been looking to see whether somebody was coming and going but it’s good that we’ve kept hold of our better players. I think now that the transfer window has shut we know exactly what we have got to deal with, in that sense it’s good that we can look to building.”

A late swoop by a Premier League side for golden boys Seb Larsson and James McFadden was more of a concern for Blues fans than the potential arrival of new faces.

Hull City came calling for McFadden and had Newcastle not been in such a state of disarray then Larsson could have been on their shopping list.

Fortunately the talented duo were still turning up for training at Wast Hills on Tuesday and fans can sleep easy until January. Not that Carsley was ever worried.

“I never really feared they would go.” he said. “The manager made it clear that he was building, he wants to get out of this division at the first attempt and it makes sense to keep your better players.

“As players it’s something you are not in control of, if a club puts a bid in for you and it’s accepted then it’s pretty much over to the player. I think Seb and James have acquitted themselves really well, I don’t think they’ve asked to move which is only good for us.”

Alex McLeish will now look to exploit the loan market in order to keep his promotion bandwagon rolling while a number of trialists were put to the test at Wast Hills last week.

However with them looking in good shape, Carsley admits there’s no need to panic buy.

“We need to bring players in that are going to push the rest of the lads and make them better,” added Carsley.

Andy Walker has his say on sport at http://blogs.sundaymercury.net/final-word