Despite his price tag Pavlyuchenko has not been an automatic starter

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has reiterated his desire to hold on to striker Roman Pavlyuchenko next season.

The Russian has scored 14 goals since his £14m move from Spartak Moscow last year, but has not cemented a first-team place and has been linked to Chelsea.

"Of course, I want to keep all my best players," said Redknapp.

"He's done OK to be fair. He scored some decent goals at home but I feel he is capable of more because he is an excellent player."

606: DEBATE Pav is class, much better than Bent. He must start next week AreaClouded - No I punched a whale. Right in the face

Pavlyuchenko was the top scorer in the Russian league in both 2006 and 2007, and has scored nine goals for his country in 22 appearances.

But despite his price tag and scoring record, often he has been named on the bench, rather than in the starting XI, as happened in Saturday's game with West Ham - where he came on to replace Darren Bent and scored the winning goal.

"There is more adjusting to do but technically he is a top-class player," said Redknapp.

"Sometimes he gets brushed off too easily and has to work harder for the team."

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