PASCAL ‘CANAL MAN’ CHIMBONDA
ASK A SILLY QUESTION
The former Wigan and Spurs man dispels some fiction – then talks up Robbie Keane’s equine charm
Interview Nick Moore Illustration Bill McConkey
Hello Pascal. You once handed Wigan boss Paul Jewell a transfer request after a game, pulling a piece of paper out of one of your socks. What was your thinking? Did you shout “Ta-da!” as you produced it?
Hi! It wasn’t in my sock. This was said, but it wasn’t true – I had it in my bag and got it out for him. I wasn’t aware of how transfer requests really worked in England, and my agent said I had to write a letter to the manager. So I did, and gave it to him after the game. But I didn’t know that he’d then open it in front of the whole team and chairman. I thought he’d take it home!