Graham Kavanagh on Pascal Chimbonda
United manager Graham Kavanagh confirmed today that he expects Pascal Chimbonda to sign a new deal when his current short-term contract expires at midnight on Saturday.
The former-French international joined the Cumbrians in October and has made 12 appearances in a blue shirt so far.
“We haven’t resolved the issue of Pascal’s future yet,” he revealed. “If I’m being honest I just haven’t had time to speak to him.
“I do want to keep him because I know what he brings to the group. We haven’t spoken about terms or money and, to be fair to him, he hasn’t pushed it.
“His agent has told us there has been interest from other clubs but I’m confident that he’ll stay. I’d like to think he appreciates the opportunity he’s been given here and that there’ll be some sort of loyalty towards that. I know that money sometimes speaks louder and it doesn’t always work that way, but he’s been very good and we’ve tried to manage him and nurse him through a difficult period.
“He’s been out injured, he’s coming back and he’s had some soreness and stiffness in his calf muscles. I think it’s important looking forward that we try and keep hold of him because of the experience he brings into the group.”
Chimbonda, 34, started his career with Le Havre in France and completed a move to Bastia in 2003 having made over 100 appearances with his first club.
He came to England in 2005, when he signed for Wigan, and had since played for Spurs, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers and Doncaster Rovers.
