Strolla: "I want to get it sorted out."Shola Ameobi has been speaking on his future at the club.
Like colleagues Joey Barton and Jose Enrique, his current contract expires in around a years time, something which is also true of fellow striker, Peter Lovenkrands. Although the issues with Barton’s and Enrique’s contract renewals have been very public, with Barton not being offered one and Enrique stalling on his, Shola seems to be be totally in the dark on whether he will be offered an extension on his current deal, or not as the case may be.
Speaking in an interview, the ‘Fenham Eusebio’ revealed that although he wants to get things “sorted”, he has heard nothing from the club yet, saying:
“I want to get it sorted out, but obviously the two parties have to meet somewhere and that hasn’t been the case yet.
“As a player, you want to feel secure. You want to know what’s going to happen for the next few years – but I don’t at the moment.(more…)
New skipper, same haircut.Fabricio Coloccini gets the captain’s armband at Newcastle United for the 2011/2012 season.
I would like to mention at the outset that this post has nothing to do with mandolins, which are musical instruments of the lute family. I could talk at length about their origins from the lute and the mandore but I won’t because to my tone deafness they just sound like out of tune guitars. No indeed, no mandolins here – that’s merely what’s known in the trade as a ‘jaunty headline’ (by an idiot writer).
So, to the story. Coloccini has been officially announced as the Newcastle United captain and said:
“I am thrilled to be named captain of Newcastle United. It is one of the proudest moments of my career.
“Leading the team out in front of our supporters in our first game against Arsenal will be a great honour for me and I aim to give my best for the team and the supporters throughout the season.
“I would also like to than Alan Pardew for putting his faith in me. It means so much to me.”
So this is good news in the sense that it must surely mean that Colo isn’t going anywhere this summer, about which there were a few rumblings in the press a while back. We’d look pretty stupid if we gave the captaincy to someone who then left. (more…)
Joey Barton: Hasn't spoken to other clubs yet.Joey Barton has now confirmed that any chance of contract talks being renewed are “slim to none” and that he was never offered any renewal on his existing deal. He also added that he would like to stay in the Premiership, but has not been in contact with any other clubs as yet.
This confirms what Barton’s agent, Willie Mackay, was saying back in May:
“I had a meeting with Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias and club secretary Lee Charnley and they have indicated Joey will not be offered a new contract.
“Joey will continue to be a Newcastle player next season and then he will leave on a free transfer at the end of his contract.
“Joey would have loved to have extended his stay at Newcastle, but unfortunately it is not to be.”
Now Barton has backed this up on his Twitter page. When asked by Twitter user Craigy Robertson: (more…)
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.”(more…)
Europe in a year?New Newcastle United midfield Yohan Cabaye talks about Europe and how other new recruits will be joining him during this transfer window.
New recruit Yohan Cabaye seems generally impressed with things at Newcastle and hopes we’ll be in Europe within a year. In a recent interview he said:
“I am going to play in the best championship in the world for a club who want to get back into Europe within a year and one who are building an ambitious team.”
He is talking about Newcastle isn’t he? Just thought I’d check.
He then goes on to suggest that he’s just the first of many signings the club has planned for this transfer window, saying:
“I am the first recruit but I have discussed things with manager Alan Pardew and I know others will follow. The directors have assured me on this point.” (more…)
