Why price was right for Rio and Flo to go

TWO London clubs selling top talent for a combined 30 million will be seen by some as evidence of a lack of ambition, by others as good business. I am of the latter persuasion. Rio Ferdinand is a fine foot- baller who will get even better. But to have turned down an 18m world- record bid from Leeds for a defender would be just plain daft, when it opens up so many other possibilities.

Provided most of the money is used to strengthen the squad, and early indications are that it will be, the Hammers should emerge the stronger.

That kind of money will buy four or five quality players. The chances are that for less than 20 per cent of the Ferdinand fee Rigob- ert Song, an accomplished international defender capable of playing both as a right back and in the centre of the defence, will move to Upton Park.

And that's just for starters. West Ham have an exciting midfield full of youthful flair and vigour, and a strike-force of real potency now that Frederic Kanoute is finding his real form.

But it is idle to pretend the defence isn't held together by string and sealing wax. Stuart Pearce, 38, and Nigel Winterburn, 37 next month, are two of the finest footballers of

their generation, but neither can go on much longer. Igor Stimac isn't a young 33, and is approaching, if not passed, his sell-by date.

So what is really needed is a wholesale shakeup of the defence, while further reinforcements from their hugely talented youth squad are awaited.

And that's precisely what this money can do. It's a lifeline not a noose.

And so is Tore Andre Flo's move for Chelsea. No one at the Bridge wanted him to go, even those objective enough to see his faults. That's because Flo is a model professional, a decent, modest, totally committed athlete whose attitude is a coach's dream. So why sell him? Again, the answer's obvious.

Twelve million pounds from Rangers is a lot of money for a striker who is talented but far from deadly. Left to lead the line as automatic first choice, he simply won't deliver enough goals. Faced with making Jimmy Floyd Has-selbaink or Flo your No1, it's no contest.

Flo, rightly in my view, is not prepared to be a supersub forever, particularly as, when he finally does get on, he's often used as a sort of wingback - a role for which he is entirely unsuited.

He'd rather try his luck elsewhere, and Chelsea fans will wish him all the luck in the world - and possibly breathe a sigh of relief.

His missed chances early on against Aston Villa and Newcastle started the rot from which Chelsea are still struggling to recover.

Eidur Gudjohnsen, who has patiently waited for his chance, will now get it. No one who has followed him at Bolton will have too many doubts about his ability to deliver.

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