Diarra gives Pompey a silver lining
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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?"