Portsmouth Football Club

• Nickname:Pompey
• Founded:1898
• Manager:Guy Whittingham

• Ground:Fratton Park
• Capacity:19179

Diarra makes Pompey pledge

15 May 2008 - 07:58:45

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Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra has pledged his immediate future to the Fratton Park club ahead of their FA Cup final clash with Cardiff City.

The 23-year-old France international has left both Chelsea and Arsenal in recent times in search of regular first-team football and has settled in quickly with Pompey since his arrival in January.

Diarra said: "What do I want? I want to win the World Cup and the Champions League and most of all I just want to play.

"I couldn't do that too much at Chelsea and Arsenal. You will have to question Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger about that, but they know why I left.

"Here, I can play every week with Portsmouth. It is a good team, proved by reaching the FA Cup final, and that is why I'm here.

"I want to win something with Portsmouth and I will be here next season.

"No-one really knows why I left Chelsea and Arsenal, but I feel comfortable about it.

"They are three different people I have played for here. I respect Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, but I know which one I prefer.

"I am here because of Harry Redknapp. If he wasn't here, I can't say I would be, but he is the reason I joined Portsmouth and I am happy here.

"All I think about now is Portsmouth, not Arsenal or Chelsea."