KIDS LURED BY CASH

FORMER Chelsea rookie Phil Younghusband believes the Blues' transfer ban was on the cards.

Younghusband was released last year having been with the Stamford Bridge outfit since the

The striker, who played in the reserves, said: "When I heard the news of Chelsea's punishment, it didn't surprise me.

"As first-year pros, the English lads in the squad earned £200 a week, whereas the foreign lads coming into the set-up were on £2,000 a month.

"But to entice the best foreign youngsters, you need to lure them in and offer them something they can't refuse - after all they are on their own away from home. This did create talk among the English lads, obviously, because we knew there was a big difference in the pay but we accepted it.

"It was something we spoke about amongst ourselves but it never affected us on the pitch or caused cliques."

Now 22, Younghusband has relocated to the Philippines - the birthplace of his mum - and become a TV star and model.

The man dubbed 'The Filipino Beckham' added: "I will always have the highest regard for Chelsea.

"My association with them made me a star in my mother's homeland.

"Because of my unique looks and skills, I have got all sorts of exposure in the entertainment business."

This article has 0 comments