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…)
Marvellous Marveaux in action for Rennes.Welcome to second 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 Rennes signing and French Under 21 international, Sylvain Marveaux.
Like the previous subject in this series, Yohan Cabaye, Marveaux is another very versatile little Frenchman with silky skills on the ball. He is just over 5’7″, has a very good turn of speed, and can play in a variety of midfield places with aplomb, though he has been mostly employed as a left sided or central attacking midfielder. He received 11 caps with the French Under 21 side, scoring 4 times, which isn’t bad at all really. However unlike Cabaye, he is yet to play with the full national side. His club scoring record At Rennes was 18 goals in 118 games.
Although a deal for Marveaux has been fully agreed, he will not become a Newcastle United player until July 1st when his current contract with Rennes expires and he becomes a free agent. On his agreement to join the club, manager Alan Pardew said: (more…)
Cabaye? Whey eye!Welcome to my small series of ‘blogs looking at Newcastle United’s new signings in the latest transfer window. First cab off the rank will be Yohan Cabaye.
Cabaye, who’s recent signing was broken on Joey Barton’s Twitta, and this ‘blog, was signed from Lille OSC for £4.3 million, which must be something of a bargain for someone who is thought to be something more like £8-10 million. Lille, a very good and stylish attacking side, won the double of France’s Ligue Un Championship and Coupe de France last season with a host of very talented players such as Gervinho, Moussa Sow, Eden Hazard and not least, Cabaye himself.
He comes from a family of footballers. His father Didier played for French side Lens until his professional career was ended by a serious injury remiscent of Hatem Ben Arfa’s when he sustained a double leg fracture. His younger brother Geoffrey plays in the French lower leagues with Iris Club de Croix. (more…)
Gives his first interview to nufcTVSylvain Marveux gave his first interview as a Newcastle United player today and seemed relatively enthusiastic despite admitting that we weren’t his first choice.
A strong bonus to having Marveaux around the club during our switch from “Newcastle United” to “Chateau Nouveau Unifie” is that he speaks English particularly well, at one point even joking about helping his fellow Frenchmen learn the language. One thing he isn’t is as talkative as his fellow Frenchman Yohan Cabaye but that may be due to English being his second language, or maybe Rob Scanlon is just bad at interviews – who knows?
The full video can be seen here for those of you with an nufcTV subscription but once again, for those of you who don’t – here’s a transcription.
Rob Scanlon:Sylvain, a very warm welcome to Newcastle! It’s raining today but are you happy to be here?
Sylvain Marveaux:Yes, I am very happy to be here!
RS:Has it happened quite suddenly? Obviously you were in Liverpool and then you were here in the early hours of the morning – what was that like? (more…)
Speed: Preparation, attitude, professionalism.This will be the first in a series of threads I am going to write, profiling some of my favourite ex Newcastle players from the last decade, starting with current Wales manager and MBE, Gary Speed.
Born in Mancot, Wales on the 8th of September 1969, Speed joined the Magpie’s in 1998 when Kenny Dalglish was at the helm. It was in a deal for a reported £5.5m from Everton.
The former Wales captain held the Premier League all time most appearances record with 535, until art and yoga enthusiast, David James, surpassed his record on 14th February 2009. He now sits in 3rd position overall after Ryan Giggs took the number one spot. During his career, he also held a record for having scored in every Premier League season (at the time), until Giggs again surpassed him on the 8th of February 2009 after Speed had been transferred from Bolton to Sheffield United on the 24th of December 2007. During his career he played for Leeds, Everton, Bolton and Sheffield United, collecting 85 caps, and scoring 7 goals for his country.
Although not extremely tall, Speed, standing at 5ft 8ins (1.73m) was excellent in the air at both sides of the pitch. He possessed an astute left foot and was known for his excellent set-pieces and effectiveness at winning back possession. In his early career he started as more of an attacking midfielder often operating on either flank at Leeds and Everton and his early days at Newcastle. Eventually he was used as a holding midfielder, sitting back and helping dictate the play, allowing his fellow midfield partners to focus on the attacking side of the game. He had extremely good vision and could pick a pass with ease, and was never afraid to get stuck in. (more…)
