Ryan Nelsen has warned Roque Santa Cruz he could regret leaving Blackburn if he decides to quit Ewood Park.
Blackburn captain tells striker not to leave
Blackburn captain Ryan Nelsen has warned Roque Santa Cruz he could regret leaving Rovers if he decides to quit Ewood Park.
The Paraguay star is being strongly linked with a January move to Manchester City, where former Rovers boss Mark Hughes is now at the helm.
Santa Cruz himself has been quoted in the South American media that he is keen, although his agents later rebuffed these comments.
It remains to be seen whether Rovers can keep hold of Santa Cruz, but Nelsen is warning his team-mate he should think long and hard before deciding his future.
"Roque is a fantastic guy and I want what is best for Roque and that is a decision for him to make," he told
Sky Sports News.
"But from Blackburn's side what the manger can give him, what the club can give him is something these other clubs might not be able to give him.
"He is really enjoying his football and he has turned his career around in a way as things were not quite going his way at Bayern Munich and the majority of players that have left Blackburn have regretted it - I know that for a fact."
Robinson form
Nelsen also paid tribute to summer signing Paul Robinson, who the New Zealander believes has revitalised his career in Lancashire since moving from Tottenham.
"Every professional in their career goes through ups and downs, that is the rollercoaster life of being a footballer," he continued, suggesting Robinson would soon be back as England No.1 again.
"He has rode that low time and you can tell that he is on his way up, you can tell that from his body language and playing and I am sure it wont be long before he is back in between the posts for England."
Rovers are currently sitting firmly in mid-table, but despite Paul Ince's solid start to life as manager, Nelsen insists that the club's first aim is to make sure they get to the 40-point mark which virtually guarantees safety.
"I think the season is going to be the hardest of the past three or four," he said.
"Even the teams who have come up have kicked on and improved and that is going to make it an interesting league. I honestly believe there are 16 teams are who going to be saying 'lets get to 40 points' and we are the same."
