WHEN Venky’s arrived at Blackburn Rovers, it was a takeover designed to end an era when the club’s best players continually departed.

Chris Samba’s words suggest we may not be there quite yet.

Rovers no longer have the financial imperative to sell or find their wage options limited, as was the case in the final years under Walker Trust ownership.

But that was only part of the problem.

Arguably neither was the cause of Brad Friedel’s departure to Aston Villa, Roque Santa Cruz’s exit to Manchester City or David Bentley’s move to Tottenham. The list goes on.

The main issue then still exists now. Individual ambition.

No-one can suggest that Venky’s do not share that ambition, hence the interest in the likes of Ronaldinho and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

But, as much as Steve Kean stresses that his players believe in him, Samba’s assertion this week that he would be open to a move in the summer suggests he does not have total faith that Rovers will deliver on their ambitions any time soon.

He has long talked about his desire for European football, and by implication he must now be unsure if his current club can provide it.

It would be a worrying revelation from any player, more so from the captain.

But, if his timing was perhaps not ideal, Samba’s views were not surprising.

Ambition, and the desire to win things, is natural for any player.

In the modern world of football, the fact that he signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal in January means little.

That was then. This is now.

Rovers have won just one game since.

Venky’s may find the same problem with Phil Jones. They will not want to sell, and have tied him on a long-term contract, but an approach from one of the top four would be seriously tempting for the player.

Rovers will continue to insist that they are no longer a selling club.

But as long as they have players who are capable of playing for teams much higher in the league, their stars will eye the exit door.