Alas, he decided instead to take his chances at Chelsea and fight for a first team place. But after a season of only eleven starts in the league and with the prospect of a player like Steven Gerrard turning up at Stamford Bridge in the summer, the rumour mill is starting up again.
I must be brutally honest that when I first heard people talking about Smertin again I wished they'd just shut the hell up. "He's gone, get over it, he's not coming back", I told them with a superior tone to my voice. But then it should also be remembered that some of my previous transfer predictions include "we'll never sell Quashie to Southampton", so that shows how little attention should be paid to me. Indeed, so it seems to be; first of all when quizzed on the possibility of re-signing the Russian Mandaric replied in a cryptic fashion about "hoping to do business with Chelsea" in the future, also adding that Mourinho is a big fan of Alain Perrin's work in France. Handy, no?
So whilst Milan was playing the "subtle" angle, it seems to be an idea completely lost on our popular captain Arjan De Zeeuw. He said, "It would be fantastic to have him back. He had a great season for us and won many points with his work-rate and skill. I'm sure the other players would be really happy to have him back, too." Not really playing down the idea particularly, then. However, "quote of the day" also has to go to Zoo who described Smertin as, "like a little vacuum cleaner clearing up in front of you." Er, if you say so mate.
Either way, the chance to get him back after the loss of two central midfielders in the January transfer window would be a great opportunity and one I would gladly welcome. What's more, we've got the upper hand on other potential suitors in that he knows the club and seemed to enjoy his time here, as well as the fact he quite possibly could know Perrin since they both spent time in France. Ok, so that's clutching at straws, but surely they met each other at some point. Maybe. Either way it's fingers crossed time!