Steven Taylor has surprisingly turned down a new five-year contract with Newcastle United.
With Charles N’Zogbia and James Milner, the other outstanding 21 year-olds in the Newcastle camp, having just signed new 5 year contracts with the club we were fully expecting Steven to sign one.
This doesn’t sound like good news so we’ll take a hard look at this today.
Steven Taylor – rejects 5 year deal with 3 year option from the club
Taylor’s representative is his father Alf Taylor who has termed the contract as “completely inadequate†for Taylor, who will captain the England Under-21 side in their match in Montenegro tonight.
Taylor’s father is looking after his son’s affairs and told the Evening Chronicle this afternoon:
“I only hope they are not trying to force Steven out.â€
“He loves Newcastle United and it is the only club he wants to play for, but he is most disappointed at what they are offering him.â€
United have been reported to have made a formal offer to Taylor of a new five-year contract with a three-year option, but this has been rejected by his father, representing Steven’s interests.
Taylor will be aware how much United have come up with for James Milner and Charles N’Zogbia, who had their contracts reviewed and signed new deals at St James’ Park in the past couple of weeks. The fans were extremely pleased that two of our best players, even though they are just 21 years-old were signed up long term by the club – very good business. With players who have yet to prove themselves at Newcastle, and some that couldn’t prove themselves at Newcastle, getting more than 3 to 6 times what Steven is currently earning, we cannot blame Steven for wanting a better contract. Although we don’t know the details we cannot believe it can be fair to Steven.
Taylor has already played 98 times for Newcastle and we know players like Luque, Boumsong and others played a lot less than that but were on huge wages. Abdoulaye Faye is said to be earning £30K a week after joining United last week. His wages at Bolton were around £7K/week. Steven is apparently currently on about £10K/week.
Alf Taylor added:
“Fans seeing the likes of Albert Luque and Jean Alain Boumsong coming into the club with massive wages must think Steven is also on big bucks, but this is not the case.†“He is not playing for Newcastle for the money, but because he loves football and the club – but it is a short career and the financial aspect is still important.â€
“Fortunately, while he is disappointed, Steven has never – nor ever will – let it affect his performance on the field.â€
“He is a local lad who only wants to play for his local team.†“But perhaps this is why his contract offer is not in the same category as those players who are coming in from all over the place.
“Yet I do not see this being a problem at Liverpool with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.â€
This is almost a perfect response from Alf Taylor because everything he says is true – and every fan knows that.
There are a number of things about this – most of which are not good for the club:
- Most Newcastle fans will support Steven on this – because he is a true future star and captain for Newcastle
- He is local lad who moved to Newcastle when he was just 2 weeks old from Greenwich – and this will look like our local lads are not getting a fair deal at the club. It appears that they may be taking advantage of Steven’s complete loyalty to the club
- Other clubs, starting with Chelsea, will be only too willing to take Steven off Newcastle’s hands in the event the club and Steven cannot reach an agreement. They will also pay Steven what he’s asking for
- It does not look good at all as far as the club is concerned – and there is no way they can win this – at least not as far as the Newcastle fans are concerned
- It again reflects badly on the way Newcastle’s youngsters are treated. They hardly ever get a good run in the first team because of the preference for the big money players (not always matched by big talent). Steven has made the first team on merit but then the club don’t come up with a decent contract for him
No – this is not good at all for the club and we suggest this be solved very quickly by chairman Chris Mort and manager Sam Allardyce, otherwise there will be big trouble from the fans. This could be a public relations nightmare if it is allowed to fester.
Pay Steven what he’s worth – or Newcastle will deserve to lose him.
Comments welcome.
77 comments so far
Bill F
Sep 7, 2007 at 3:07 PM
Comment #41t-g-w I agree, Iv’e said the same. We just have to look at the plain facts, he is a first team player, has played virtually every game for the last few years and has never let the side down. Although I would qualify the last comment by mentioning his occaisional daft antics (that penalty) and his careless use of elbows. But he is learning and will learn to be more circumspect as per our ex uber-star. I think he is worth parity whatever that may be.
Jammy
Sep 7, 2007 at 3:10 PM
Comment #42Lampard, Ferdinand and Terry are the exceptions in the case of players needing to move to get a good deal????
Lampard moved for 11m and Rio’s two moves total 49m, not exactly coming through the ranks…
Taylor is a decent prospect but IMO nothing more than that. Positional sense is poor, decision making not much better. Compare him to Woodgate at that age at Leeds, who was clearly a class act, and if he was injury free would be an England regular.
We have pinned hopes on him from years of having cack central defenders.
I think Allardyce knows Taylor isn’t all that judging by the comments he has made about him.
Keep a hold of Taylor yes, but don’t be held to ransom.
STEPHEN
Sep 7, 2007 at 3:10 PM
Comment #43darren – if Faye is getting £30k a week then taylor should be getting more than him. We should be looking to build the team aroung taylor, milner and n’zogbia so lets get the foundations set and build for the future. Milner & z’zogbia have just signed new long term contracts so lets hope tayls does the same.
maggpie
Sep 7, 2007 at 3:15 PM
Comment #44Ed – I am surprised at this feature as normally you are balanced and offer well thought out views. In this case you are saying NU are in the wrong when you don’t know what they’ve offered. How can you say they are wrong when you don’t know what is on the table?
Let’s say he’s been offered 80% of what Rozehnal is on. Let’s say that is £32K a week. Rozehnal is a proven 26 year old full international. My figures are guesses but if they are about right, that in my view would be a fair offer, but dad Alf, reads the papers too much, compares his son to Gerrard and Carragher (wrongly) and considers the offer derisory. Also, Alf is very wrong to run to the media with this.
Having said that, I agree with those that said this needn’t be a great concern and will end up a normal negotiation.
NU are good payers and Taylor is a long way from the finished article. Don’t forget he has featured prominantly in the last two years in our much maligned defence.
I like Taylor and I like local lads playing for tha Toon. But I trust the management to offer the right deal, and if they can’t agree, then Taylor is being badly advised and should be given a figure good enough to get him to stay and then sold if the club aren’t happy with that figure. If they agree on the right figure he will stay and all is well.
Nothing to be remotely worried about.
Marguerite
Sep 7, 2007 at 3:15 PM
Comment #45Please can I have my next season ticket alongside Bill F and t-g-w, it would be good to sit alongside like minded fans.
We are not stupid enough to know the kid still has a lot to learn, but he has such potential and I sincerely hope he will be offered a new and acceptable contract very soon.
dragoner
Sep 7, 2007 at 3:24 PM
Comment #46STEPHEN I DONT THINK tAYLOR SHOULD GET MORE THAN fAYE, fAYE IS MORE EXPERIENCED AND IS THE BETTER DEFENDER RIGHT NOW, OBVIOUSLY TAYLOR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE BETTER, BUT HE IS NOT ON FAYE’S LEVEL YET (SORRY ABOUT THE CAPITALS)
nightfall
Sep 7, 2007 at 3:37 PM
Comment #47don’t you just hate it… 50 years ago players played for free…they played ‘cos they loved the club/game…and now 20-year olds are complaning ‘cos they get “only” 10K a week…
damn…
Andy T
Sep 7, 2007 at 4:05 PM
Comment #48If he has been offered less than N’Zogbia and Milner – then he is absolutely right to spit his dummy – although I doubt that will be the case. If he wants as much as Boumsong or Luque in this deal, then he should be moved on as they were.
Lets take another slant on this – he’s being offered a five year deal. That means he’ll be looking to renegotiate or move in 3-4 years time – when he’ll be an ageing veteran of 24/25 – this is the deal that will set him up for his pension and if he begins to fulfil some of his potential then he should get the big money deal. This deal should recognise that he has potential, but he should recognise that it needs to be fulfilled.
TOON NUTTER
Sep 7, 2007 at 4:12 PM
Comment #49I agree with all the above.
I would just like to point out.
Newcastle are a club still in debt . The company behind the scenes needs to be sorted out so that it is running correctly.
Would it be of any wonder if a new wage structure is in place.
With regards to Taylor father trying to use lique and boomsung they came with big pasts . Steven should be compared to the contracts of james milner and the zog, he should be offered the same as them, they are all under 21 internationals so should be offered the same.
Do people not think though that he has been down to the england senior camp and under 21 camp and the players talk the talk and he feels he is not getting the same as some of them .
I feel it just the start of the talks and something will be sorted out.
I have my trust in BSA and chris mort to get this sorted they are business people and upto know I have no reason to lose faith in either one of them.
I believe the best for NUFC will come out in the end.
ChrisL
Sep 7, 2007 at 4:26 PM
Comment #50@ Andy T
Andy, I reckon you’ve hit the nail on the head. It’s the contract after this one that will make sure he never has to do a proper days work in his life. This contract is a recognition of high potential, to be fulfilled.
Cathal
Sep 7, 2007 at 4:50 PM
Comment #51too much is being made of this. negotiations will continue and a deal will be sorted. hes not going anywhere, and the transfer window is closed. its business, both sides will negotiate untill happy, its not as if players contracts are sorted out on the first offer, look at JT at chelsea for instance
Cathal
Sep 7, 2007 at 4:53 PM
Comment #52and as was said above, his sontract expires in 2009 so wats all the hurry. mountain out of a molehill
Ed Harrison
Sep 7, 2007 at 4:53 PM
Comment #53Darren – I am making a few assumptions that the offer is not up to scratch – but of course I don’t know. Taylor is extremely popular and doesn’t come across as greedy so you kind of believe that he hasn’t had a good offer.
Yes – I really like Ashley, Mort and of course Sam – but surprised they have let this one get out.
I mean Taylor isn’t just a good player for us he’s also a local lad who Newcastle fans identify with so it’s hard for the club to look good here.
That was my point – and yes it’s subjective because we don’t know all the facts – like how the offer compares with other players.
It’s also right that Newcastle are getting a handle on the wages which is good for the financial stability etc.
It’s bad comparison with Keegan because of inflation and the fact they didn’t get anywhere near the wages then – one reason is because Premier league sells so well worldwide now. I take you point on Luque’s wages though – that was in the Souness/Shepherd era of financial stupidity.
Cathal
Sep 7, 2007 at 4:54 PM
Comment #54and as was said above, his sontract expires in 2009 so wats all the hurry. mountain out of a molehill. taylor is my favourite player and i wud b disgusted if newcastle sell him but i do believe the article is very biased towards ST. im suprised Ed
Rich
Sep 7, 2007 at 5:16 PM
Comment #55“Yet I do not see this being a problem at Liverpool with Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.” – Taylor Senior
WHAT THE HELL??!?!?!?!?!
DOES HE NOT REALISE THEIRS A BIT OF A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GERRARD & TAYLOR, AND EVEN CARRAGHER??!??!?!!??!
I LOVE TAYLOR BUT HES ONLY 21 AND HAS ALOT TO LEARN.
OMG, TAYLOR SENIOR, THAT IS THE MOST RETARDED COMMENT EVER, YOU CANT COMPARE TAYLOR TO GERRARD.
MUPPET.
StevieA
Sep 7, 2007 at 5:19 PM
Comment #56It would cost us 4 or 5 Million to replace him, I fully expect him to go on to be an England regular so give Steven 30-40k a week! He deserves it and it one of the most promising youngsters we have.
We are not desperate to keep him now that we have signed some quality defenders but we can’t afford to start letting home grown players go for the sake of a few thousand a week. It’s a drop in the ocean compared to the 10’s of millions the club generate in a season.
I have nothing against players earning big money. It’s a short career and believe me the clubs are making much more than the players out of the fans.
Rich
Sep 7, 2007 at 5:21 PM
Comment #57@ ED – I do not think it is a perfect response from Alf Taylor, you cannot compare the likes of Carragher & Gerrard to Taylor.
For one we do not know how much money we offered Taylor, secondly we dont know how much he is on so we cannot make a comparison.
Their is a possibility we are being stingy, but just as much as a possibility that Steven Taylors Dad thinks that Steven at 21 years old can earn as much as players like Gerrard do at the age of 27.
And anyway, i love Taylor but Gerrard is on a different par from him, you cannot compare Gerrard & Taylor.
I think Alf is bang out of order for going public aswell, keep it inside SJP FFS.
StevieA
Sep 7, 2007 at 5:37 PM
Comment #58My gut feeling is that Alf is referring to home grown players such as Gerrard and Carragher.
Although it wasn’t too long ago that Liverpool fans were burning Gerrard shirts outside Anfield! If you remember he almost went to Chelsea due to a better contract and I hope we don’t lose Taylor in similar circumstances.
OK Taylor is no Carragher or Gerrard yet but people forget Carragher only became ‘world class’ in his early-mid 20’s.
kev
Sep 7, 2007 at 6:09 PM
Comment #59give him 20-25k a week, just make sure he stays at tyneside. otherwise we are going to lose a great player to be. gona be another jenas.
t-g-w
Sep 7, 2007 at 6:15 PM
Comment #60Marguerite unfortuneatley I live in Bristol so don’t have a season ticket and don’t get to see many games but off to uni in Brum v soon so will be going to a fair few games around the Midlands!
I don’t think Alf Taylor is stupid enough to say Taylor is as good as Gerrard and Caragher but I think he is stressing the importance of home grown talent in today’s game where it costs a lot to sign players let alone young players with potential. This is even more important in terms of the Champions League as I explained above but even more so for the development of English players.
brian
Sep 7, 2007 at 6:16 PM
Comment #61Taylor is being represented by his father and a solicitor who just happens to be the solicitor for Shepherd offshore… therefore I will let you guess as to the source of the ‘leak’ on a day that Stephen is so proud to captain his country at u21 level…. disgraceful and shameful!!
There is an e.mail on another forum and I am not going to post a link, but it’s a response by Mort to similar concerns as expressed above. It would seem that Faye is not on 30k per week (less but no figure given which is what you would expect) and that wor Stevie is looking for considerably more than what Charlie and Jimmy are getting and more in line with our top established players!!!! Therefore perhaps the link to Carragher and Gerrard is very apt in the sense that he sees himself as a top established star.
The openness of the response is an absolute delight for a long suffering fan to see and the new people should be applauded. I really had thought we had seen the last of Shepherd and his clan but alas it would appear not. I really hope they aren’t setting themselves up as football agents because this will mean continued interference and garbage in the local press.
hadrian
Sep 7, 2007 at 6:17 PM
Comment #62ed , forgive me but ill be backing my club over a local lad who plays for it.
we CANT have young players gunning for wage packets bigger than those on their last contract .
faye may be on 30k a week , but this is his last contract , his final pay day .
im sure as hell tayls will be on alot more than that come fayes age .
if we start handing out silly high wage packets to 21 year olds it will have a knock on effect that will come back to haunt us .
alf taylor should be ashamed of himself for bringing this public , quite frankly im annoyed he’s decided to drag the toon thru the papers , the kids still got years on his contract aswell .
Otter
Sep 7, 2007 at 6:42 PM
Comment #63Ed– I think you’ve overstepped here. “I really like Ashley, Mort and of course Sam – but surprised they have let this one get out.” That’s just wrong–it was the player’s father who decided to discuss the negotiations with the press. I hope that the club will not play along.
Although Sam ought to knock back this ridiculous statement:
“I only hope they are not trying to force Steven out.â€
Really, who would consider renegotiating a promising player’s contract WITH TWO YEARS YET TO RUN as “trying to force Steven out”??
Alf Taylor may be a great dad, but our young CB deserves a better agent.
WelshWizard
Sep 7, 2007 at 6:55 PM
Comment #64Otter
Well said
Bill F
Sep 7, 2007 at 7:28 PM
Comment #65Nightfall, I don’t think they played for free but they did not get much. The alternative were going down pit or shipyards. My dad was a miner and it did for him eventually. Yes they loved their teams but they were also more than happy to escape the tedious dangerous life they would have had. Don’t forget before George Eastham they were virtually slaves albeit pampered ones. I would to join you on the terrraces Margueritte but like t-g-w live away from the homeland, I’m in the SE of England now and only get to see them on the telly. Now once I win the lottery!!
Ed Harrison
Sep 7, 2007 at 9:50 PM
Comment #66maggpie – I have to agree – don’t know any details of the argument and I am biased towards Steven – that’s true also.
Marguerite
Sep 7, 2007 at 10:12 PM
Comment #67Bill F – Keep buying the lottery tickets
t-g-w – Good luck at Uni
Meantime I am sure we will be talking on the Blog again soon.
PP
Sep 8, 2007 at 12:14 AM
Comment #6810k Isn’t it too less for him?
Darren
Sep 8, 2007 at 1:08 AM
Comment #69Really good comments on here regarding this, Taylor is a GOOD prospect but no more than that. No doubt our starting offer was a little low but if agreement can’t be reached then so what, we support Newcastle United and no player is bigger than our club. I do personally think that Taylor’s father has overstepped the mark spilling this to the press though, it should have stayed in-house. Mort might be tempted to dig his heels in now.
@Vest – you reckon Taylor should be on 50k a week! What would you pay Deco or Riquelme then? 500k? You are nearly as deluded as Rich.
dragoner
Sep 8, 2007 at 1:28 AM
Comment #70thats right, no player is bigger than the club, they should NOT give into Taylor, he is 21 and already being perceived as demanding higher wages, its not sending out the right msg to other young players
Vest, u r not thinking long term, Taylor is not worth those crazy wages you said, he should get no more than 20k-25k maximum, he is a young player and just think of the implications of paying him more than the better more experienced defenders in the squad…the last thing we need is a rift between the back four. At the moment Faye, Rozehnal, and Cacapa are all better defenders than Steven Taylor, he is a prospect, not the final product and he (or his father) need to realise that.
If they cant agree then Taylor should be allowed to leave, because i dont care if its RONALDINHO, HENRY or KAKA! NO1 IS BIGGER THAN THE CLUB!
dragoner
Sep 8, 2007 at 1:32 AM
Comment #71i just read that his wage is not even a third of Faye’s 30K…so i guess that is a bit on the stingy side, i feel they should pay him 20k a week
Dalston
Sep 8, 2007 at 2:41 AM
Comment #72Dragoner, agree with you, however, without knowing how much he is being offered for the new contract, can’t say much which side deserves more support.
One thing for sure is his father needs to change style, i thought a normal father would tell his son: work harder and improve, you will be duely rewarded.
Lamesley Mag
Sep 8, 2007 at 7:03 AM
Comment #73It appears Taylor Senior has over stepped the mark by talking to the press prematurely regards his sons contract offer from Newcastle.
Dear Mr. Mort, please step in and sort out this issue ASAP and try as best to keep Steve Taylor; i.e. making him a contract offer that is fair and equitable.
No player is bigger than Newcastle United but feel that young Steve will captain both Newcastle and England in future so let’s give him what he’s worth.
I’m a believer in payment based on performance, so when asked what’s a player worth, salaries need to be linked to; i.e. the number of games played, position in league, champions league participation, FA Cup and League Cup participation, etc, with add-on’s to an initial salary.
Can you imagine what we’d pay Dyer, Boumsoung, Luque, etc if we’d had such a pay structure in place?
Ashley and Mort are business people so expect negotiation and agreement being reached with Taylor Senior in near future…….
Arthur Prince
Sep 8, 2007 at 8:58 AM
Comment #74Good discussion Folks . But I think this has got out of hand . His contract has 2 yrs to run , should be kept private and dealt with by both sides with proper prudence .
It also seems starange to me that you re negotiate a contract with a significant period yet to run makes a mockery out of contracts .
Finally no player should expect different or more preferential treatment from the club . They are paid increasingly huge salaries often to the detriment of the club.
For the first time for many a year the club seems to be putting itself on a proper professional footing in all aspects -wages included . Steven needs a proper but appropriate salary which should remain his and the clubs business only . We need to discuss footballing matters like whats the best team for the next match how the injuries are settling down etc etc . I want CL football with the best team possible with ALL team players fighting for their places earning their salaries . Then we might succeed . !!!
brian
Sep 8, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Comment #75Dragoner you may well believe Faye is on 30k per week but as the source of this is Anal Oliver then I am afraid I treat it with deep suspicion particularly with the link between ST’s advisors, Shepherd Offshore and we all know that AO has been Shepherds mouthpiece. The ‘leak’ is nothing more than a cynical attempt to put pressure on the club and to get supporters to side with the local hero by publishing bits of factual information along with non factual information – AO obviously can’t get any stories out of the new regime which has acted very professionally, something which we have been crying out for for years. That’s why I feel exceptionally strongly with what is being peddled and the source of this. Both Milner’s and N’Zogbia’s contracts were sorted privately why is Taylor’s in the public domain – Taylor is being used and not doing himself any favours. He has every right to expect a decent contract but we have no facts to suggest he has not been offered a very good one – all the stories coming out the club praise the new, professional regime – this is an example of the old one.
Hadji
Sep 8, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Comment #76I don’t understand Taylor at all,at the age of 21 he’s been compared with Stivi and Kara from his daddy.
Alf…Your boy is good but not good enough to be compared with them.What about John Terry,how much was he earning when he was 21,certanly a lot less than now.
The best solution for the club and for Taylor is 25k/week with a 3 years extension of the contract not 5,and if he improves his game in the next 3 years and shows he’s a class act then definetly offer him a 5 years contract worth 80k/week.
dragoner
Sep 8, 2007 at 2:53 PM
Comment #77Brian – oh ok