Benjani: reluctant departure from Pompey

Reuters

Benjani bemused by City switch

Updated 10.49 Fri Feb 08 2008

Keywords: Manchester City, Benjani, Portsmouth

Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari has revealed he did not want to leave Portsmouth and was "shocked" to be sold in the January transfer window.

The Zimbabwe forward had been in fine form for Pompey in the first half of the season but was sold to City on transfer deadline day in order to fund a move for Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe.

"I kept telling myself that it was all a bad dream and I would wake up the following day and still be a Pompey player" - Benjani Mwaruwari

The transfer almost did not happen because Benjani was reported to have arrived at City too late, but it was later sanctioned by Premier League officials who agreed all the necessary paperwork had been completed in time.

Benjani claims he had settled at the south coast club and, having scored 12 goals in the league campaign, was loath to move.

He said: "It was never my choice to leave Pompey because of the special relationship that I had with the supporters, with my team-mates and with the coach.

"I was very happy at Pompey and I think this season I showed that I had settled down well and I was beginning to produce the goals for the club."

The 29-year-old admits he was surprised to learn of his proposed move just two days before the January 31 deadline.

"I was shocked when I was told on Tuesday that I was going to be sold to Manchester City before the transfer window closed," he said.

"I asked for the reason why I was being sold and they told me that it was a good business deal since Manchester City were paying a lot of money - especially considering my age - and they could also get younger players in return.

"I kept telling myself that it was all a bad dream and I would wake up the following day and still be a Pompey player. But this was not a dream."

Benjani, however, believes the move might prove a blessing in disguise.

He added: "It's the best deal, in terms of remuneration, in my entire career and I was just happy with the respect I had received from Manchester City so I signed after a few minutes.

"It's not easy for a 29-year-old African player to get such a deal in Europe."