Bruce urges pair to stay
Published Date:
30 April 2008
Steve Bruce hopes star turns Antonio
Valencia and Wilson Palacios opt to stay at Latics next season rather than get
'swallowed up' in the big squad of a top club.
Manchester United are tracking the midfield pair, while Valencia is also believed to be interesting Liverpool.
Bruce accepts it would be impossible to stand in their way if either United or Liverpool came calling with big-money offers.
But he wants them to think carefully about the next step in their careers, fearing they wouldn't be first-team regulars if they moved on.
Wigan boss Bruce told the Evening Post: "I think Wilson and Antonio are flattered by the interest.
"They are playing well to attract the interest of the big clubs, and my big fear is if the big clubs put money on the table, it would be hard to keep them. How can you deny the two kids such an opportunity?
"But what I hope for another year at least is they can stay here and keep learning their trade.
"If and when they do go, I hope they then go straight into a team rather than just being part of a squad.
"That is imperative for both – if they weren't playing regularly I think they would get very frustrated.
"I don't want them to go yet as they are still young, still learning their trade and can only get better.
"Being here together has helped them with the language situation, and
enabled them to settle well.
"They are the talk of the Premier League at the moment – every manager I speak to is raving about them.
"Saturday was one of their quietest games, yet the Reading staff were
saying what great players they were.
"What I would love is to keep them here for another year or two, although it will be difficult if the big clubs come knocking."
The full article contains 317 words and appears in Wigan Evening Post newspaper.
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Last Updated:
01 May 2008 8:37 AM
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Source:
Wigan Evening Post
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Location:
Wigan