January 19 2005

Wayne Routledge

Footballer turned pundit Tony Gale recently penned an article extolling Andrew Johnson, maintaining that if AJ ever left Selhurst Park he should only move to one of the big three teams: Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea, writes Neil McSteen.

Gale made the point that our star striker was now of high enough quality to grace these sides and that a move to a mid-table Premiership team was ultimately pointless.

I can't help but feel the same sentiment could be applied to Wayne Routledge.

Deep down, us Palace fans don't mind losing star players. It hurts but it's a fact of life.

Ian Wright was "Judas" for a long time after he left us scoring in front of the Holmesdale and kissing his badge didn't help the healing process either.

But Wrighty left for Highbury to, in his words, "win medals". Which is exactly what he did, becoming a Gunners legend in the process.

Nobody could begrudge Wright, a late starter in the professional game, his ultimate destiny.

But if Wayne leaves for White Hart Lane what is he going to win? He won't win the hearts of the fickle Spurs fans and he won't win the league.

Wayne stay where you are loved until the really big teams come calling.

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