金になびかなかった男

ちょっと長いけど、引用で。
ゾラが、大佐の契約延長について語っています。「パーカーのような人間を引き止めることができて、誇りに思う」と。しかし、シティがちらつかせた金を選ばなかった、なんてニュアンスのコメントが出てくるあたり、やっぱり大佐には、いいオファーが来ていたということなんだろうね。
あとはゾラも締めで語ってるけど、やっぱ選手は試合に出られてなんぼですよ。うん。

• ZOLA THRILLED WITH PARKER STAY

Gianfranco Zola has described his pride at convincing Scott Parker to commit his future to West Ham and has urged the club's other stars to follow his lead.

Parker was linked with a move to cash-rich Manchester City in January but remained at Upton Park and last week signed a new deal keeping him with the Hammers until 2013.

For Zola that represents a significant triumph and he is now hopeful that other key men, including England goalkeeper Robert Green and Lucas Neill, will join the midfielder in agreeing extensions.

Highly-rated centre-half Matthew Upson is another player with wealthy admirers and Zola would also be keen to hold on to him.

The Italian insists that tying down Parker, who had a largely unhappy stint with Chelsea following his ｣10million move from Charlton in 2004, is a step in the right direction.

"We are very proud to keep a player like him. It shows we are doing a good job and the players appreciate what we are doing," said Zola.

"It's not a matter of money because if it was he would have gone.

"He likes what we are doing here and that's a positive sign."

Zola enjoyed a rather more distinguished career at Stamford Bridge than Parker and is still looked upon as arguably the club's finest foreign import.

But he insists that players should look for time on the pitch more than the glamour - not to mention the financial rewards - available at the likes of Chelsea and City.

"I would personally not go to a team who can give me a lot of money but not play me," Zola said.

"That is the problem with the squads at the big teams.

"They have 24 internationals, sometimes more, so they don't get many games."
（後略）

ちなみに、端折ったこの後はグリーンとニールに契約延長を打診しているような話と、期待の新星ジャック・コリソンの話が続きます。