Redknapp: foreign invasion has raised the stakes

PORTSMOUTH manager Harry Redknapp believes the influx of foreign owners into the Premier League has dramatically raised the stakes for every club this season.

The most lucrative television deal in its history has made the English top flight the richest league in the world, attracting investors from as far afield as America, Iceland and Thailand.

With more prize money than ever on offer this term, it’s no wonder clubs like West Ham, Aston Villa and Manchester City have spent heavily in the transfer market this summer to ensure they retain their place among the English elite.

And in Redknapp’s opinion, that will only serve to intensify the pressure in the coming campaign.

“You’ve got foreign owners coming in from everywhere, and obviously with the amount of money that’s involved now in the Premier League they’re not buying clubs to be playing in the Championship,” he said.

“If you don’t invest then you go down and once you drop out this division it’s so difficult to get back. They’re buying Premier League clubs and they’re investing their money and they want to make sure they stay in the Premier League.

“They’ve come over to be involved in the top league, that’s why they’re here, so whatever it takes to stay in the Premier League, they’ll do that.”

Meanwhile, David James revealed he has still not given up hope of regaining a place in the England side. Despite an impressive season last term as he set a new Premier League record for clean sheets, the Portsmouth goalkeeper has seemingly been surpassed by Ben Foster and Scott Carson as Tottenham stopper Paul Robinson’s main rival for the national number one spot.

While philosophical about the situation, the 36-year-old maintains he is as keen as ever to represent his country.

James again faces one of his former clubs as Portsmouth take on Liverpool in the final of the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong. And the veteran keeper revealed that he decided to quit Anfield in the summer of 1999 as he was not prepared to play second fiddle to new arrival Sander Westerveld.

Redknapp has injury doubts over Sean Davies and Richard Hughes for the clash with the Reds but revealed Pompey fans will definitely get a first look at new signing John Utaka after the striker did not feature in Tuesday’s victory over Fulham.