Pompey boss: Kenwyne is the next Drogba.
By: Sunderland Echo.[/size]
Harry Redknapp has described Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones as the new Didier Drogba. And the Portsmouth boss says taming the Black Cats striker this weekend is the key to Pompey continuing their surge towards European qualification.
Redknapp watched as Jones gave his defence a battering in the 2-0 loss at the Stadium of Light last month. The Trinidad and Tobago international has been a revelation on Wearside this season following his £6m summer move from Southampton.
He has helped himself to six goals and given teams a torrid time with his brute strength and power. Redknapp says he see similarities between Jones and Chelsea striker Drogba, with both men possessing the ability to terrorise defences.
The Pompey boss worked with Jones while at Southampton, and knew then he had the assets to make it at the highest level.
He said: "Kenwyne Jones is a threat and I've been impressed with him. "He's a fantastic athlete with a great leap and terrific spring and he caused us problems at the Stadium of Light.
"I've seen him batter a lot of defenders this season. I worked with him at Southampton. He was a player you would be scared to sell unless it was for big money.
"I thought this could be one which comes back to haunt you. He needed to be more aggressive in his play but it seems like the penny is dropping with him. "He could be the new Didier Drogba. That's not impossible. "He's a real handful."
Redknapp also believes Sunderland boss Roy Keane is someone heading to the top of the management tree. He reckons the former Manchester United hero's presence means his side will win their fight to stay in the Premier League this season.
And he lauded his success in getting Jones to fulfil his potential. Redknapp said: "I thought Kenwyne had everything needed to be a top, top player.
"It was all there – but I didn't know whether he'd put it all together. "He was relaxed and I didn't know if he was capable of getting out of that laid-back mode of his, but he's pushed on.
"He has got it all though, believe you me. "Look at him. He has the lot and Roy Keane has managed to get that out of him.
"He should be a top player and I think he is showing that now. "A lot of it is probably confidence. Roy is pushing him and pushing him, and he probably realises what he can achieve now."