The need for Parker

Last updated : 21 January 2004 By Liam Corbett
Scott Parker is one of the best up and coming players in the Premiership. Young, English and not afraid to put his foot it.

Claude Makelele is the perfect foil for Frank Lampard, but Claude has already admitted that he is finding the Engliush Premiership a physical strain, and being over 30 years old, one wonders how many more full seasons we will get from the man Ranieri described as "The battery in his watch."

Scott Parker will run his socks off all day for you, and with Claudio publicly stating his intent to buy young English players, (ie. Lampard was 23 when bought, Wayne Bridge, Glen Johnson, Joe Cole, JT a regular, etc) 22-year-old Parker would fit right in.

Charlton have NOT ONCE said that Scott Parker is not for sale. They have been clever in that they've stated thier un-willingness to sell him, but admitted that a "stupidly high" offer would be considered.

With Petit probably going in the summer and Claude Makelele another year older, People suggesting Parker would not get a game would be far from right. And if Gronkjaer (please!) is sold as well as Stanic, then our midfield could be filtered of 'excess waste' and left with 6 or 7 top quality players!

Unless Scott Parker wants to spend his entire career as a big fish in a small pond, ala Matt Le Tissier, then he can. It just seems such a shame to waste that talent on a team that couldn't overcome Gillingham earlier this season with a full strength side.