Piquionne eyeing permanent Premier League move
Published 23:00 07/03/10 By Neil McLeman
Frederic Piquionne wants his FA Cup heroics to win him a permanent move to the Premier League.
The France striker scored both goals in the quarter-final win over Birmingham to take his tally to 10.
The 31-year-old, who has scored four in his last three games, is only on loan at Fratton Park from Lyon after suffering a nightmare season last year.
After joining for £4m from St Etienne in 2008, he was dubbed 'Mr Bean' for fluffing so many chances and became a scapegoat in a Lyon side which failed to win Ligue 1 for the first time in eight years.
He also won the Ballon De Plomb (Lead Ball) award in 2008 (just ahead of Ronald Zubar) for the worst player of the year.
But with Pompey now doomed to relegation, Piquionne wants to extend his more successful English stay.
"It is true that the last few years in France have not been great for me," he said. "I am trying to show what I can do and I hope above all to stay in England next season.
"I don't know which level of club. If it is a club playing in Europe, if it happens to me then great. Today I am 31 and I still have a lot to give.
"Last year I didn't play much. I am not young anymore and this year is very important for me. I am 31 now but I am not finished. I want to show everyone in France that I am not finished."
Piquionne threw his shirt into the crowd during emotional scenes at the end of the match.
"I really enjoyed sharing the moment with them," he said.
"I have never experienced an atmosphere like that during and after the match. Since the start of the season, the fans have been really fantastic with us
We have lost a lot of matches, we have had problems but they are still there applauding us. We would like to see to them all at Wembley."
