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Benni McCarthy has criticised former club Porto for "constantly blocking" his ambitions to play in England. Before moving to Blackburn Rovers, the South African striker saw bids from West Ham, Everton and Bolton all turned down by the Portuguese outfit.

"I was a little unhappy as every time it got to the point of moving they wouldnt let me go," he said. "I got frustrated, and that leads to unhappiness and that means a club does not get the best out of a player."

And McCarthy also revealed the frustrations of playing in a Portuguese league that was uncompetitive. He said: "I was not unhappy to leave, it was the right time. I have won everything it is possible to win in Portugal and it was the end of my ambition. You know you are going to win the same things over and over again, so you want new challenges. I want it to be tough again." Famous last words