Premier League - Santa Cruz eyes Rovers exit

Eurosport - Tue, 21 Apr 11:37:00 2009

Roque Santa Cruz has said he has told Blackburn he wants to leave the club at the end of the season.

FOOTBALL 2007-2008 Premier League Blackburn Rovers Arsenal-Blackburn Santa Cruz Clichy - 0

The 27-year-old, currently recuperating after undergoing a surgical procedure on his troublesome right knee last week, told a Paraguayan radio station he has informed Rovers he wants to move on in the summer.

"I have already told them (Blackburn) and they know that before the transfer window closes I would like to continue my career at a bigger, more ambitious team," he told Radio Nanduti.

"Even though I haven't heard anything, I haven't changed my mind.

"I think it will be very difficult for me to play again this season because of the recovery. Our last league match is on May 24 and I also need a couple of days for my knee to physically recover."

The former Bayern Munich frontman could, therefore, have played his last match for Blackburn, as he does not intend to take to the field again before he is 100 per cent fit.

Santa Cruz last week underwent an arthroscopy in Germany, which showed "a minor degree of wear and tear". He had the joint washed out but did not require any active surgical procedure.

"I had to clean the zone of the cruciate ligament operation I had three or four years ago because there was some liquid there," he said.

"When I had the tendonitis in the left knee, it made the other leg overwork. That's why it got worse and I needed the surgery.

"Now, it is up to the knee. The recovery time is between four and six weeks and I will not hurry. The most important thing is to play without any problems.

"I will wait for my knee to be perfect, no matter how long it takes."

Meanwhile Santa Cruz, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City to rejoin his former Blackburn boss Mark Hughes, has tipped Manchester United to retain the Premier League title.

"They have the experience," he said. "They are facing easier rivals. I think Chelsea are the strongest team they will play.

"I don't see Chelsea winning all their remaining games."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 18 of 18

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  1. Well I've supported Santa Cruz for a long time and­ he's a good player.I was very happy for him when he­ came to Blackburn and his 1st season was awesome.
    But­ he seems to be injury cursed. If his heart is not with­ Blackburn then he must leave. Man City should buy him­ since they wont attract top players.

    From rahima, on Mon 27 Apr 9:39AM

  2. He's just right Blackburn are goin down. Maybe they­ should try and entice Kenny back he couldnt make the­ football any worse!

    From Brendan, on Wed 22 Apr 9:26PM

  3. i hope Roque Santa Cruz go to Man United next season.

    From obiwan_242, on Wed 22 Apr 8:24AM

  4. he is useless paid too much and is a ungrateful idiot­ as blackburn gave him his chance to shine look at david­ bentley the grass is not greener on the other side it­ just looks that way! sell him to manc pity and get­ loads of cash for a @#$% player santa go back to the­ north pole

    From chris, on Tue 21 Apr 5:46PM

  5. he is just faking this injury in order to remain in­ good condition for city

    From dianesellars, on Tue 21 Apr 5:39PM

  6. greedy @#$%

    From dianesellars, on Tue 21 Apr 5:38PM

  7. Hope his 'new' club will pay all his medical­ bills!

    From Christine, on Tue 21 Apr 5:32PM

  8. he is another david bentley, "i want to play for a­ top four team" ....nobody......anyone???????? oh­ ok @#$% spurs will do "I HAVE SUPPORTED EM ALL ME­ LIFE" and the same will happen with santa cruz.­ good luck the modern day darren anderton, enjoy man­ @#$%.

    From james g, on Tue 21 Apr 3:51PM

  9. surprise surprise, we should of got rid when we had the­ chance, were not gonna get more than 5mil for him,­ injured AGAIN, he's had his one fit season in 4­ last term, a problem which has plauged his career for­ years. He's unfit, disloyal and showed his true­ colours when he begged Man City to buy him in the­ January window. Bye Bye Roque you wont be missed by­ this rover

    From danny r, on Tue 21 Apr 2:36PM

  10. i was surprised with the statistics..i thought santa­ cruz was a great striker in bayern munich..no wonder­ bayern sold him, j.p guerrero and claudio pizarro to­ lure toni and klose...

    From Fazreen A, on Tue 21 Apr 1:44PM

  11. in fact i've just checked and his highest goals­ total for bayern in 1 season was 8! 5 league goals and­ 3 cup. jolean lescott from everton is a more prolific­ goalscorer!! or bring back matt jansen again

    From craig, on Tue 21 Apr 12:39PM

  12. he might have been there from 18 yrs old but look at­ his scoring record and i doubt he ever got into double­ figures for a season so he's had 1 good season at­ the mighty burn and now thinks he's world beater­ and has basically said he wont play for us again! well­ listen here santa cruz.... we're not arsed!!­ you've done nothing this season and should show a­ little bit more gratitude cause this is the club that­ saved your career. we took you on when you were nothing­ more than an injury prone substitute and transformed­ you into an average mid-table striker... nothing more­ so why not accept that you'll end up at man city­ and continue to be a mid-table striker. arrogant­ *****!!

    From craig, on Tue 21 Apr 12:27PM

  13. tamn r, what do you mean he couldnt make it at bayern?­ he was there from 18 years old....playing :S

    From startofthebeginning, on Tue 21 Apr 11:05AM

  14. We should have sold him when we had the chance and was­ worth double what he will be now. He's done nothing­ since and has always been injury prone, he had one­ lucky season injury free. Can't see any really big­ club wanting him so looks like iy'll the Man City­ subs bench to replace Robinho when he sulks off to­ warmer climes. Don't forget to inclede his little­ bro in the deal, we only signed him in a vain attemt to­ get RSC to stay!

    From dean557, on Tue 21 Apr 9:02AM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    good on u u have made a good choice come to man u that­ will shut
    Liverpool up for good!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Ruby, on Tue 21 Apr 8:44AM

  16. He couldnt make it at Bayern and I think Blckburn­ should have cashed on him in January. Now he is injured­ and no team will give much cash for him.

    From Richie, on Tue 21 Apr 8:34AM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    santa cruz you are wasting your time ,move to bigger­ teams and get on with your career,Dont wast your time­ talking.

    From Ngandu, on Tue 21 Apr 8:28AM

  18. well he might want to play at a bigger team but I­ really cant see any of the top 4 wanting him

    From Alex F, on Tue 21 Apr 8:27AM
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