Blackburn Rovers will not rue Benni McCarthy departure - Pascal Chimbonda

Defender claims Rovers have competent replacements for South African...

29 Jan 2010 13:36:00

By Alan Dawson

More On :  Blackburn Rovers, West Ham, Benni McCarthy, Pascal Chimbonda
EPL: Pascal Chimbonda - Stephen Hunt, Hull City v Blackburn Rovers (Getty Images)

Blackburn Rovers defender Pascal Chimbonda believes Jason Roberts, Niko Kalinic, and Franco di Santo will be able to fill the striking void that the club may endure when South Africa international Benni McCarthy departs Ewood Park for Gianfranco Zola's West Ham United side.

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"When Benni was not there we were still winning," he said to The Lancashire Telegraph. "We have the strikers to replace Benni; Jason Roberts, Niko Kalinic and Franco Di Santo."

He continued by remarking that it was important for McCarthy to find regular football in order to book his place in the Bafana Bafana squad for the World Cup in his homeland this summer.

"Benni has been at Blackburn for a long time," Chimbonda added. "Sometimes when you play football you just feel it is time for a change and Benni felt that.

"He wasn't playing every game and the World Cup is close and it maybe his last World Cup. He gets this chance to go and play. It is good for him and I tell him good luck.

"West Ham are in the same position as us. They need to win like we do because the gap between the teams in the bottom is not far.

"I don't know if Benni will be playing for them on Saturday, maybe not."

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