Pardew’s big Ba bombshell
Posted on September 20th, 2012 | 15 Comments |
Speaking in a pre match press conference for this evening’s Europa League game against Maritimo in Funchal, Alan Pardew has revealed his displeasure at the recent words of Demba Ba’s spokesman, Alex Gontran, also revealing that there is STILL a release clause in the player’s contract.
Telling the media of a recent conversation with Ba about his spokesman’s comments, with Ba himself also revealing that “lately I am not so happy with some things going on.” at the club in his Everton post match interview, Pardew commented:
“I have spoken to Demba [about his agent] and told him I was disappointed with some of the comments around him. Sometimes it’s out of his control and out of my control. We know each other well enough. I just think people were saying things they shouldn’t say, really.”
Pardew then reiterated however that despite all the current fuss and bother, they still have a good working relationship, saying:
“It doesn’t really affect myself and Demba, we’ve got a very good relationship.”
When asked if Ba could make a move to Arsenal in the next January transfer window, Pardew also responded:
“The situation with him is ongoing in terms of his contract, as there is that clause in there and it makes us vulnerable. That’s where we are. It’s still open in the next window.”
Well that’s a bit of a bombshell on the eve of our Europa group stage campaign!
To refresh your memory of what Gontran said about the Ba imbroglio, it was:
“Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Demba doesn’t understand the management. If he continues to be a substitute all season, we’ll look at other solutions. The choice to put Demba on the left last season was good for the club, because [Papiss] Cissé scored 13 goals, but there was a lack of recognition for Demba. It is more difficult to play well when you don’t have the confidence of your staff.
“How could you put your best striker with full confidence on the left wing? He is playing in the Premier League, with lot of fellow French speakers and he loves the club’s supporters. He would like to start every game but he respects the choice of the coach, even if he does not always understand or agree.”
Ba did not travel with the squad for this evening’s game. As to what the amount of Ba’s release clause is, or what the conditions attached to it are, Pardew did not reveal.
Ba’s post match interview after the Everton game.
Poll
Obviously Pardew is ready or willing to sell Ba in January or why would he have mentioned the clause when everyone thought it had ended?
Pardew talks too much but it’s probably because Ashley has his hand up his back. ‘Gottle a geer’ springs to mind.