Sol'd Out?

Last updated : 31 March 2008 By Jim Bonner
Media reports are claiming that Sol Campbell will leave Pompey to go to Spain in the summer. Whilst this may just be tabloid talk, would it really surprise you if the skipper left after this season?

According to reports, Sol has a get-out clause in his contract that will allow him to join another club in the summer with La Liga high-flyers Villareal his supposed destination.

The Yellow Submarines could be an attractive proposition for Campbell as it's likely that they will be playing Champions League football next season (they're currently 2nd in La Liga) as well as re-joining Arsenal team mates Robert Pires and Pascal Cygan.

The man himself has admitted that Pompey are not going to be his last club and with the continuous speculation over his long-term future at Fratton Park, it wouldn't surprise me to see him leave in the summer for one final crack at playing abroad like he originally intended to when he left Arsenal.

It would be a blow if he left as the captain has been immense during much of the season but he's also performed below par on more than one occasion which makes me think he isn't irreplaceable, especially as he's now 33-years-old.

Earmarked replacements are Jon Mensah, a Ghanian that has been dubbed as Africa's best defender by some or Per Mertesacker of Werder Bremen. Both are good players and are considerably younger than Sol so might be worth tracking.

That's if there is any truth to this rumour at all. Campbell enjoys his football at Fratton Park and is a key part of the best Pompey team we can remember. There's still plenty of potential at this club and hopefully the captain believes he can be a part of it.

If he does leave, let's hope the last thing he does for us is lift the FA Cup at Wembley!