Probing Newcastle’s new signings – Mehdi Abeid (+ video).

Posted on June 28th, 2011 | 15 Comments |

Mehdi Abeid in training with France U18s.
Mehdi Abeid in training with France U18s.
Welcome to the third in my small series of ‘blogs looking at Newcastle United’s new signings in the latest transfer window. In this episode, I will be looking at free RC Lens youngster and French Under 18 international, Mehdi Abeid.

Much attention has being focused on the last three Newcastle United signings, Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Sylvain Marveaux. However Newcastle United first signing of the close season, 18 year old Mehdi Abeid, has been somewhat overlooked. Like the older Cabaye and Marveaux, Abeid was previously playing in the French leagues, in this case, now relegated Ligue 1 side Lens. Abeid signed a five-year deal with the Magpies on 27 May 2011, just before his existing three year contract with Lens expired at the beginning of June. On joining Newcastle United, the player said:

“The leaders of the Magpies told me about their project and rely on me for next season. For my part, I intend to give everything to evolve in the Premier League.”

Although seen more as ‘one for the future’, much like existing Reserves such as Haris Vuckic and Shane Ferguson, 18 year old Abeid has aleady being capped at both Under 17 and Under-18 level for France. He was called up for 14 under 17 caps (scoring 2 goals) and 3 Under 18. Abeid is around 5’9″ (1.79M) and is of French Algerian descent.

RC Lens site ‘Lensois.com’ said of him:

“Abeid is an attacking midfielder comfortable on the left side of midfield or through the middle. In the past, he has also played as a 2nd striker. Derek McKinlay, a writer on French football has described him as “pacy and full of trickery but untried and untested at the top level, he’s one for the future.”

Although his provenance, from the B-team of a club which was once again relegated last season to the second tier of French football may seem rather modest, by all accounts, he seems to be a player of talent and potential.

Below is a video of Abeid in action with the Lens B-side.

NUFCBlog Author: workyticket workyticket has written 1096 articles on this blog.

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Comment on this post

15 Responses

  1. Good uploading – he seems pacey, head-up, more winger than striker tho I’d say…and still ‘one for the future’, but v.glad we have him.

  2. You should update injurt list HBA is now fit and ready for preseason, as for this guy im not going to get to excited about he will be forgotten about and wont break into the first team…

  3. Robbie Rees says:
    June 28, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    “You should update injurt list HBA is now fit and ready for preseason”

    Aye, so they said Robbie. We don’t update that list, but I’ll keep an eye on it to see if it keeps lagging behind with injury updates.

  4. Milner says:
    June 28, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    “Good uploading – he seems pacey, head-up, more winger than striker”

    Found it on Youtube a few days back Milner. Many sites were saying that Abeid was a defensive mid when he signed, I don’t know where that came from

  5. Isn’t Bassong bought from FC Metz?

    Anyway, not too excited about this lad. Too many “young talents and potentials” have gone missing from our academy, eaten up by Joe Joyce apparently.

  7. Can’t hurt to have Abeid training alongside the likes of HBA, Cabaye, and Marveux : Players pushing for Int form.

    Not to mention the skills Jonas and Tiote possess, couple of striker lessons of Ba…

    New facilities….

    Small hat-full of extra quailty transfers, and that’s a place I’d like to see blossoming when training starts next week!

  8. Chris F says:
    June 28, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    “Didn’t we sign Bassongs from Metz not Lens?”

    Aye, of course we did Chris / DSD. I’m gannin’ senile and I forgot to cross that bit out.

  10. Have we actually signed him yet then? I mean has it been confirmed?

    I thought this was one that was still to be concluded?

  11. Paul says:
    June 28, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    “Have we actually signed him yet then? I mean has it been confirmed?

    I thought this was one that was still to be concluded?”

    Paul, as it says in the story, Abeid signed on 27th May in anticipation of his Lens contract running out on 1st June which has already happened.

    I think you mean Sylvain Marveaux, whose contract with Rennes doesn’t expire until the 1st July?

  12. Ah right. Just seems weird that the club haven’t confirmed it. Mind you, he is only a kid I suppose so I doubt there would have been much of a fanfare anyway :)

  13. Paul says:
    June 28, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    “Ah right. Just seems weird that the club haven’t confirmed it. Mind you, he is only a kid I suppose so I doubt there would have been much of a fanfare anyway”

    Aye, perhaps Paul, they haven’t officially confirmed Marveaux either. They’ve done the usual shirt thing, interview etc, but the terminology used was “agreed terms with Newcastle United”.

  14. Hopefully a new Charles N’Zogbia, the only real success from all the kids we brought in, but Ferguson could be the real deal.
    Though i’ve seen more fat on a greasy chip.