COULD charismatic Frenchman Pascal Chimbonda be about to say au revoir to Wigan Athletic?

With team-mate Jimmy Bullard heading back to London and joining Fulham, Latics fans fear Chimbonda could be the next high-profile departure.

Manchester United and Liverpool are understood to have sounded out the 27-year-old defender, who has made such a big impact this season.

Chimbonda, valued by the club at é8m, has just topped off a five-star season by being named in the Professional Footballers Association's team of the year.

Yet he was an unknown proposition when he arrived at the JJB Stadium last season.

He said: "To have made it into the PFA team means that it has been a fantastic season not only for me but for my team-mates.

"There is extra special pleasure from having kept Wigan up. That was the aim from the start and, to make it even better, we also reached a major cup final.

"To do so well has been a big surprise but we have all worked hard and I was soon made to feel very welcome here by the other players.

Battle

"I was expecting a relegation battle so the way the season has gone has been beyond my expectations, not that I am complaining of course."

Latics fans quickly warmed to Chimbonda who caused a stir by donning woolly gloves as early as late September.

He has appreciated such support because he was driven out of French football at Bastia as a victim of racial abuse from terrace chants.

Chimbonda added: "When I arrived I knew nothing about Wigan, I had not even heard of them. But I just wanted to play Premiership football, this has always been an ambition.

"I didn't even know where Wigan was but after they approached me, I found out what they were all about, realised that they were ambitious and signed.

"It's been superb and the fans here are fantastic.

"I feel it is so important to strike up a bond with them and hearing them singing and chanting my name is something I've never experienced before.

"It is very special. It has driven me on to do even better and has been a major factor in me doing so well."

Wigan fans have seen Chimbonda chip in with some important goals this season and sing the party song "Let's Do The Conga" putting in Chimbonda's name and enjoying the party.

Replica shirts sporting his name are also in plentiful supply.

Contender

Chairman Dave Whelan, himself a former full-back, says Chimbonda has been a contender for player of the season.

Whelan said: "The lad can play. He's done well and he's definitely a character. The game needs these kind of fellows."

Chimbonda has a variety of hairstyles, including beading, and has a liking for white, baggy clothes.

He enjoys his music with Tupac being a hero and recently celebrated the birth of his son Wonja.

He added: "I am very much the proud father and am enjoying this."

Ex-Wigan boss John Benson was the man who alerted Wigan about Chimbonda after spotting him playing in France and the club took the chance.

The cold English climate may have come as a culture shock to the Guadaloupe-born Frenchman, but he says it's always been his philosophy to play the game with a smile on his face.

Looking back at his memorable season, Chimbonda reckons his toughest opponent has been fellow Frenchman Thierry Henry of Arsenal.

And the pair will clash again on Sunday, when Wigan help to pull the curtain down at Highbury.

Pascal loves to pit his wits against the best but as to his future he remains tight-lipped, giving nothing away as he does in defence.

Whatever happens this summer, the man who lives in a luxury apartment in city centre Manchester once owned by Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart, won't be forgotten in Wigan, even if he doesn't care for the local delicacy of pie and peas!

How important is Chimbonda to Wigan? Have your say.

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