We thought that Charles N’Zogbia was quite happy to stay at Newcastle under the new regime led by Sam Allardyce and Chris Mort.
It appears as though that was not correct as the Evening Chronicle today reports that Charles is still unsettled at Newcastle.
Charles N’Zogbia
The player’s representative Willie McKay has already met Sam Allardyce for talks to clear the air surrounding N’Zogbia’s position at St James’ Park and there are expected to be additional talks today with some answers expected.
A source close to N’Zogbia told the Evening Chronicle:
“He is contracted at Newcastle until 2010 and wants to stay at the club.
“But with the re-emergence of Albert Luque, who can play on the left hand side like he did for Deportivo la Coruna, and Damien Duff also to return from injury later in the year, he isn’t sure whether he will have a future here.
“He has already met the manager but talks are still ongoing.
“The player’s representatives were supposed to be meeting the manager today.â€
It is known that Fulham and Bolton are both keen on signing the French ace but we think that Charles has a future at Newcastle. While he probably did not behave well at the end of last season – from what we understand the dressing room was anything but together during the last couple of games. Let’s not also forget that Charles has only just turned 21 and he still needs some guidance – both as a person and as a footballer.
Before last season N’Zogbia played really well for the club and was very popular with the fans. The last thing we want to do is let our young stars leave, before they have had a chance to develop fully. Charles is apparently concerned that he will not get enough games at Newcastle with Duff and now Luque in the wings (excuse the pun). But we think Charles has a good chance to shine this season as long as Sam is willing to give him a chance – which Charles hardly received from Glenn Roeder last season.
It’s clear that N’Zogbia’s problems started when Damien Duff was signed from Chelsea. Because of both his transfer fee and experience Duff continually got the nod over Charles last season – even though Damien’s displays – by his own admission – were not up to par.
We hope Charles will be given the chance he needs while Duff is out injured – and then it’s up to Charles from that point on. Sam Allardyce is obviously keen to have some depth to his squad following Newcastle’s torrid time with injuries the last couple of seasons – and no player should expect to be guaranteed a first team starting position next season.
Comments welcome.
10 comments so far
aaron d
Jul 16, 2007 at 3:07 PM
Comment #1N’Zogbia can also play in central middfield and could be an option there this season. I would definitely not sell him for the fee meantion £2million. If he’s not getting enough football then i would rather see him loaned out instead of sold. He will be a great player for the future.
Kash
Jul 16, 2007 at 3:15 PM
Comment #2He’s not going to leave and go to no-hopers like Bolton or Fulham. It’s a suicide move, just ask Olly Bernard!!!!
Gateshead Glenn
Jul 16, 2007 at 3:40 PM
Comment #3N’Zogbia had a very good time the season before but was poor last season. It seems that his initial ‘success’ went to his head and he then got a ‘pet-lip’ on when Duff signed. Fair enough, he was entitled to feel hard-done-by when Duff kept getting picked ahead of him even when he wasn’t playing well —- but when ‘Le Zog’ got his chance he blew-it. A good pro would try harder to prove the manager wrong thru’ his performances in training and then in matches, not go in the ‘huff’ like a prima-donna.
Any-way, I really hope Le Zog takes his chance with the new boss as he’s young enough to learn from his mistakes and has definitely got talent. It would be a shame if he wasted it. I was more worried about him going to Arsenal a year or so ago, now it’s only Fulham or Bolton. He should look at what happened to Bernard when he left and his career ‘bombed’.
Dave
Jul 16, 2007 at 3:55 PM
Comment #4He’s staying, unless someone wades in with a figure around £5mil. Duff is injured now and will no doubt pick up another as the season wares on. The so called re-emergence of Luque is hardley a indication that the form we all saw at his previous club is just around the corner is it? No, I think he wants to stay and will, his agent, the humble (ahem) Mr Mckay will just be after a lucrative renegotiation of the contract.
AB
Jul 16, 2007 at 4:27 PM
Comment #5I hope BSA manages to get through to this kid, he was a great prospect at the beginning of last season. I think the talk of the Arse being interested has maybe given the lad a bit of a big head and it’s something he doesn’t need. Leaving for Fulham or Bolton is a huge step backwards and if he doesn’t see that then maybe the lad needs getting rid of.
Hopefully the Duff injury will coax him into staying, and if he can perform early next season, I don’t see the need to bring Duff back into the first team. Zoggy isn’t an out and out winger though so he’ll need to put in some pretty solid performances to keep his place.
Elliott
Jul 16, 2007 at 4:46 PM
Comment #6I hope he stays, he’s got the potential to be more effective than Duff. He’s got more goals in him and a better cross when he’s at the top of his game, we just need to get him back there and improve his general passing. It’s a shame because the season before last he visibly improved with each consecutive game he played.
Evan
Jul 16, 2007 at 6:23 PM
Comment #7We can’t let O’Brien and N’Zogbia leave in the same transfer window, and frankly, I don’t think BSA would allow it. Duff will not be fit for the start of the season, so that leaves N’Zogbia and potentially Luque to fight for the spot to open the season. Barring a string of terrible performances from N’Zogbia, he should be able to prove to BSA that he is quality. I would think he would get the nod over Luque since he has shown value in the premiership when Luque hasn’t. It should be interesting to see who fills the LM spot against Bolton on August 11th.
Cockney Magpie
Jul 16, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Comment #8Course he will stay, i think this is just one of those rumours that its best we all just ignore, same as Oba to Arsenal .
Dave
Jul 16, 2007 at 9:53 PM
Comment #9AB, Evan, Cockney Magpie: I couldn’t agree more…here’s to a level headed young man called Charles :-). August 11th…You’d have to play him wouldn’t you?
Callum
Jul 17, 2007 at 7:39 AM
Comment #10The season before last, he was arguebly Newcastle’s best player and why? Because he was played regularly, like most players all he needs is games.
The talk of him going to Arsenal unsettled him and last season he went down hill but with BSA guidance i see no reason why he cannt get back to top form and be a first team starter all season long, I hope it works out for him because when hes on top form hes a really good player, and as he’s young he has the potential to be alot better then Duff.
Who knows maybe if Luque starts performing too then Duff would Newcastles 3rd choice left winger and who would have thought that?