Kevin Keegan has said he will fight to hang onto one of his best young players, Charles N’Zogbia, whose head seems to be turned to London for his future career.
Charles N’Zogbia - we may lose him in the summer
Charles seemed happy to sign a new and improved 5 year at the club recently but to be honest, the former Le Havre player has not looked completely happy this season.
And Keegan revealed today:
“Charles came to see me about all the speculation.â€
“He’s just signed a new contract here, but it’s something we’ll have to revisit again in the summer, because the signs are that he’s not that happy here.â€
“But this is a big club, and we’ve got two or three months to work with him.â€
This is not good news for the club and early in the season, before Big Sam came to the club, he wanted to leave the club but Geremi mentored him and he seemed quite happy,
But we think his head is being turned by the lights of London, where lots of other French players ply their trade. There’s also a question as to what Charles’ best position is.
Keegan thinks N’Zogbia is more effective as an out-and-out left winger - as he continued:
“I thought he has done very well again playing at left-back. I’m not saying it’s his best position, but he’s a gem of a lad.”
“He never complains at all.” “He can play in midfield and left-back, but his best position is definitely on the left of a midfield four and bombing on.â€
Keegan will be hoping that Charles plays for the French Under-21 side against Spain tonight, when Enrique should be in the Spanish side. N’Zogbia is suspended for the game at Villa on Saturday, after picking up 5 yellow cards for the season.
It will be disappointing, to say the least, if Newcastle cannot hold onto their young star, who doesn’t turn 22 until May. But if Charles insists on leaving, there’s not much Newcastle can really do, except get a good price for the emerging super-star. We only want players who want to play at Newcastle United.
But it will be very bad precedent for our Youth Policy.
Comments welcome.
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66 responses so far ↓
1 Chicken // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:28
Oh dear - doesn’t say much for the current state of affairs at NUFC.
To be perfectly honest though - who can blame him?
2 obafemimartins // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:34
arsenal have obvoiusly tapped him up when we played them. i hate it. hopefully when we get a good team going he will want to stay. i think he feels threatened by duff taking his place
3 sparetheman // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:35
N’Zogbia is the player I rate highest out of the current squad. I’d be devastated if he left. We’ll have to match his ambition if he’s to stay in the summer but I fear it might be too late already.
4 Bill F // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:38
Did he get a good deal in his contract and is he getting what the rest of the senior players get.
Everyone has been acclaiming him as the best player this season so if he is getting less then he may have cause to be disgruntled.
Could have another Taylor situation brewing up.
5 obafemimartins // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:39
he seemed very happy with allardyce! who would be happy with allardyce as manager. we need to do everything in our power to keep him here. he is the best talent we have and the future of our football club. terrible news.
6 Tom_Toon // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:40
Hes a great player but the good thing is that it is very easy to find a great player in his position unlike others.
7 Michael // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:40
Where are these quotes from Keegan from?
8 ObaFan2 // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:41
KK has till the summer to get Zog to change his mind but if he wants to leave then so be it. No good having players here if they don’t want to be here.
Zog is almost always guaranteed a starting place here, somewhere else he could end up on the bench alot more than he’s used too.
Sometimes it’s better being a “big” fish in a small pond ( not that I like to think of Toon as that lol).
9 Macas // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:49
No need to sell, he’s on a five year deal so keep him until the end of next season and hopefully some big signings will change his mind.
10 canmag // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:49
zoggie a very very good player,but a regular starter at the arse don’t think so , warm the bench at chelski , spurs good chance to start but
lots of competion down left side in the middle very little not much chance to be reg starter.
maybe its the hammers haha
11 Tom_Toon // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:50
Look like Schweinstiger is available in the summer, rather have him than Zog
12 iraqi_geordie // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:52
If he don’t want to play for us he can fook off and he is not that good imho
13 hanzemre // Feb 5, 2008 at 13:55
he’s good but not yet great hopefuly getting there soon. For me he can to play in AM/CM if Faye in DM & Enrique (LB) is fit/available again.Very good competition for LM till the end of season.Hope KK’d get him happy to stay & play for his revolution.
14 nufctj // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:11
ed already said it all:
“We only want players who want to play at Newcastle United.”
That’s all that ever needs to be said about any player, I don’t care if your Cristiano Fooking Ronaldo, if pulling on the black and white does not inspire you to give everything you have, then show them the door (for the right price of course.) Yes, Zog has potential, and would fit nicely into a side more to KK’s liking, but.. if there is one thing that sets any player apart from other players, no matter how technically good you are, it is what is in your heart..and if your heart ain’t black and white then off you go! Are you listening Mr. Owen? we are watching you…
15 Marguerite // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:15
Whilst I think Zog is a great little player in our team, how would he stack up against similar / better players competing for his place in another team? I would be sorry to see him go, yet in another sense if he is so determined to move down south for yet another ‘family reason’ (why can’t the family move to Newcastle?) then let him go.
As Tom_Toon so rightly points out there are others equally good and better.
Zog should remember he is far from the finished article and he had no reluctance to extend his improved contract so he should honour it.
16 Leo* // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:15
im probly going to be bombed by anger from people like eve and sinead for this but i think the reason is his team mates, to be more specific shay given, every chance given gets he is shouting at him, not in a constructive way but quite nasty, i have watched it at the home games…
one example if you can watch the whole boro match again, there is a free kick taken by boro in the 2nd half, and charlie is on the post and watches it out then follows the ball off the field. given then has a go saying why didnt he stay on the post… when in fact he had, given just wasnt paying attention… it has happened quite alot
17 Rich // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:17
I totally agree with that comment nufctj, if we aint goning to fight for the cause and bleed for the club then we dont want you simple as!! I really hope we keep Zog tho he is quality, but as tom-toon said its a good position to find a quality replacement! Im also starting to believe that Michael Owen does love the toon and he does want to be part of the revolution , i hope so!
18 nufctj // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:21
Although I admire M. Owen’s talents (will never forget the argentina goal) I am not nor have I ever been convinced he wanted to wear the black and white, it just happened that way. And if he stays healthy and keeps scoring goals, his price tag will go up and he will be gone. Maybe I will be wrong, but me gut tells me I am not.
19 brett // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:32
i would quit
20 SuperShearer // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:45
Zig Zog might want to leave. However with a new five year deal just signed the price is going to have to be right for Newcastle. In other words how much money would we need to replace him for a like player. As you say Ed he seemed happy when Germi was here and he has been away on ACON duty. Perhaps when he returns Zog will have his mate back and be content to stay.
21 nufctj // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:45
leo*, I most always enjoy your postings, but come on lad? Zog is wanting to leave cuz Given shouts at him on the pitch? That is daft, and if it were true, then Zog should definitely be sold to the highest bidder! No crybabies in black and white! someone change his diaper.
22 sparetheman // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:48
Marguerite and Tom_Toon, I don’t think there are many premiership left wingers out there better than or equal to N’Zogbia. We would be hard pushed to bring a suitable replacement in my opinion. If you can name some please do. Schweinsteiger isn’t a realistic option.
23 Bill F // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:48
Tom-Toon comment 11 now thats someone I have been banging on about, would agree 100% there.
24 nufctj // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:49
oh yes, I am little ZOG, and I miss me best mate Geremi (even though he plays like a piece of shite for NUFC), and me has been cryin’ meself to sleep every night, cuz the big bad irishman yells at me and calls me naughty names on the pitch!
Come on! like I already said, IF HE DOESN’T WANT TO WEAR THE BLACK AND WHITE, THEN FOOK HIM!
25 the artist formerly known as cooldj // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:55
would prefer if he moved abroad!
26 ronaldeano // Feb 5, 2008 at 14:59
If the cockney bastards come in for Zog, let them. If the cheeky cockney bastards want to pay a VAST amount of money for him, let them pay. We dont want anyone playing for the toon if thair heart is not in it, and thats the vibes we are getting from Zog. I just hope that, if he does go to spurs, we qualify for the CL next season and they dont, he will be gutted for not staying at this fantastic club. We are a bigger club than they are and ALWAYS will be. So fook the cockneys!
27 paul p // Feb 5, 2008 at 15:03
i cud not agree more with you nufctj. if are not proud and do not want to wear the shirt or play for newcastke then get them sold its the same situation with taylor, although he loves the toon and will not be leaving. Yes great player is nzogbia and has plenty of talent and a good future ahead of him, but if his heart is not in it, then lets get some stupid money for him as thats what it will take. we will get someone else who is better than him. going forward, no one better to attack apart from his final ball. its worse than milners, defensivly, he is shocking, switches off too much and is not a full back as we saw down manchester city.
28 Eric // Feb 5, 2008 at 15:03
We must keep Charlie at all costs. Not very often we get a diamond with such potential.
Hope KK can pursuade him. We dare not lose our Zog on the Tyne. I certainly hope that nobody in the glare of those London lights is trying to turn his head. Do not reckon him for a glamour boy actually. Fingers crossed.
29 ronaldeano // Feb 5, 2008 at 15:08
If he does go, Urby EMANUELSON from Ajax will do!!!!!
30 Leo* // Feb 5, 2008 at 15:39
i guess no one read my post n.16…
people have to look at this from two perspectives not just the clubs side
31 Rich // Feb 5, 2008 at 15:43
Realistically in the premiership id be happy with Downing as his replacement, but i think we will get more for our money outside the premiership.
32 Eric // Feb 5, 2008 at 15:44
Have to agree with the sentiment that if a player is not proud playing in the black and white there is no place in Newcastle for them. If Zog turns out to be like that then I will pay his fare to arse and all or the sperms if need be.
33 Tom_Toon // Feb 5, 2008 at 15:44
sparetheman - im not talking about from the premiership it is not of much importance in the midfield when they come from other countries as long as they have a little pace and a littler strength.
34 singapore geordie // Feb 5, 2008 at 15:52
i have to agree with Leo.. N’zogbia is only 21, he is slightly unsettled by all this change in management. He can see the instability that is sweeping the club and though measures are being taken to steady the ship, your mind can’t help but wonder what if…
Give him some time and i’m sure that he will change his mind about leaving. Committing 5 years of your life to NUFC at the age of 21 is a big decision and i would not doubt his heart was not there when he signed. This speculation is because of the agents and I think that players should have the right to negotiate with the clubs directly and not them.
35 jeff // Feb 5, 2008 at 15:52
If Nzogbia wants to go then tell him to either buy himself out of his contract or put a massive price on his head…..I read it was because his family were down London where have we heard that before….In any case is he not french?So if his family moved to england they should be up in Newcastle with him,christ who is the footballer here??Who is the one earning the big money?Get shot of him in my eyes…..yes he is talented but we’ll move on,we only want players willing to play for newcastle united…….I say get rid of the huffy little shit
36 Stami // Feb 5, 2008 at 16:12
Zoggy is one of our best players! he has really started to shine this season. im sure Arsenal where interested in him while Roeder was at the club.
37 paul p // Feb 5, 2008 at 16:15
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mxL8j54U5G0
RONALDO VRS TURAN. CHECK THIS OUT
38 Tom_Toon // Feb 5, 2008 at 16:35
Deportivo are looking to get relegated so we could just buy Guardado to replace him, Schweinstiger may be available, and Barnetta would also be a good young option, not to mention people like Albert Riera and even someone like Andrew Surman from Southampton. My point is Zog will be easily replaced with equal quality if not better.
There is also Rodriguez of Benfica, Leonardo of Ajax, i could go on and on.
39 Eric // Feb 5, 2008 at 16:51
One has to wonder about the origin of these stories. We all know who Charlie’s agent is. What contribution comes from the New Grub Street hacks? Wish I was a fly on the wall in whatever London pub they make these horror stories up in! I woulud fly around and poo on their pizza and pee in their beer. There seems to be an anti-Geordie feel in the air at times.
40 paul p // Feb 5, 2008 at 16:57
this is the boy we shud be going for like. turan
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mxL8j54U5G0&feature=related
41 Ausgeordie // Feb 5, 2008 at 17:11
Is Given that good any more? He has not come off his line all season and we have a couple of excellent young goal keepers coming through. He used to be great but now he is simply average.
42 dopaz // Feb 5, 2008 at 17:20
anyone who does not to play for newcastle united should leave……….
43 George // Feb 5, 2008 at 17:37
This is not the first time we have heard this from CN about being happy.
I personaly like this young player and think he is quite gifted, however he reminds me a lot of a young Anelka, who just happened to keep saying he was not happy and consequently has had several clubs.
I do hope i am wrong about young Charles as i do feel over the years he has had a raw deal with the past managers at NUFC. KK has said he thinks CN is gifted but has played at left back of late which is not where he likes playing, especially as Damian Duff comes in and takes up his roll.
A gun to the head or not, i do hope CN stays at NUFC as i really think that we have only seen a small amount of what this lad can do.
44 Jeff D // Feb 5, 2008 at 17:41
I knew a soon as Duff was fit and in direct competition with Zog for the left wing spot that he would spit the dummy out! He did exactly the same when Duff arrived. I hoped he would have matured over time , but sadly that is not the case.
He will fair no better at arsenal or spurs where competition for a starting position is a lot more fierce than it is at Newcastle.
I dont think his agent has his best interest at heart by selling a move down south to him. All he will be interested in or looking for is a cut of any transfer fee.
N’zogbia has been selected into the national set up and improved while with Newcastle, but i think it will be all over for him if he goes to a team where he is not guarenteed a starting place.
45 Milnerfan // Feb 5, 2008 at 18:18
i doubt theres much truth in this story, because he only signed a long term deal few months ago. If he was that unhappy he wouldnt have signed or at least waited for a lil bit. To be honest he cant have become that unhappy in 3 months. Paper talk who needs it. Suprise suprise Arsenals name is being linked with a french player!!!
46 Robert from Serbia // Feb 5, 2008 at 18:24
the news are from official site !!! so its true…we are going to loose our best player
alongside with Obafemi Martins….maybe Taylor….
47 Keltik // Feb 5, 2008 at 18:46
I will be gutted if this happens.
N’Zogbia is our future, he is an amazing player especially for his age.
anyway, i dont know what ill do if we sell Zog… espcially seeing him play in another teams colours.
then again maybe its time to be optimistic… £20 mil for N’zog and we can go and buy Messi or someone :p
48 Robert from Serbia // Feb 5, 2008 at 19:25
lol messi??? he wont come…we cant attract that kind of players to our club…and we cant get 20 mill for N Zogbia….atleast 7 mill…
49 Swanx // Feb 5, 2008 at 19:43
I rate him very highly, but if the lad dosen’t want to play for us, let him go, as long as we get top money for him.
50 Dragoner // Feb 5, 2008 at 20:24
it gets worse for us everyday doesn’t it, this season is getting worse with everyday that passes
51 ToonUSA // Feb 5, 2008 at 20:56
Ok, on the last day of the transfer we had Roz request a move (although he has not been great for NUFC had a great rep in France and as an International) and now Zog is unhappy and wants to leave, WHY?
There seem to be many that say if they don’t want to be here then let them go but with that attitude we will be in the championship in no time. If players want to bail then other top players won’t want to come and that would be the day to hit the panic button.
I like Zog he is by far the best player we have. He is young and he is comited on the field. He the future for Gods sake. If there is anytime to stand behind a player it is now lets show him how much we rate him on the field.
Please stop with this ‘if he don’t want to be here get rid of him’ attitude cause we will never win anything.
52 AdamCF // Feb 5, 2008 at 21:03
It’s all about man management. Not all players will continue to be happy. These things happen, but it’s about getting the good ones on the park to benefit NUFC. I mean is anyone truely happy with where they currently work?
53 Keegan=God. // Feb 5, 2008 at 21:10
Let him f**k off then the french pleb.
54 Keegan=God. // Feb 5, 2008 at 21:13
Wait till Geremi’s back actually.
Tbh though. I don’t think he’s that good. Rate Duff more me. He’s very greedy and makes the wrong decisions often.
55 marcus owen // Feb 5, 2008 at 21:46
i don’t think he is so good until we can’t let him go. he’s freekick is awful and sometime dribbing too much like an idiot. i prefer duff at left wing more than him. Duff is more creative and know how to link up play with others.
56 ToonUSA // Feb 5, 2008 at 22:23
So according to you two we should rest the future of our club on a player nearing the end of his playing days instead of one that is just starting one. Briliant idea fellas.
57 James Oliver // Feb 5, 2008 at 22:36
Who does he think he is?
I admit he has great control but his passing is rubbish.
If you look at the left wingers we have had for the last 10-15 years Duff, Robert, Ginola are/were miles ahead of this lad.
The best leftside we have now is Duff who is a proven international but he’s had a bad run in with injuries but at his best he was a starter for Chelski and a world class winger. People who say he is old should look at players like Zola and Beardsley and figure out that its not about age but about class.
Let him try out at another club and I will bet you that he will be forgotten quickly. I hate players who behave like this at a time where everybody needs to bond into a team. Keegan should not try to please him he should kick him into the reserves.
58 ToonUSA // Feb 5, 2008 at 22:46
WOW, I am starting to suspect that some of you guys are not even NUFC fans and just trying to creat a rift between players and fans. U lot can say what you like but at the end of the day when Zog gets /got to play Left wing he has been great. He has played as a left back and has provided better service than our left mid players. So say what you like about Duff being better but at least look up stats for success rates of passess and crosses. Zog is the only player we have that is ranked in the top 100 in the player index thing so i guess everyone is on crak for thinking this kid is good.
Listen all I ask of all fans is to ask themselves why do players want to leave?
59 James Oliver // Feb 5, 2008 at 23:24
Hey ToonUSA, Zog has had alot of support from us but when he puts himself before the team then I have no patience. As they say in the US “there is no “I” in team”.
If this is really to be the KK revolution we have to start looking at when keegan was last here and what kind of players we had. Some were good others were great but nobody disupted the harmony in the public. Ginola and Les F. left but it was not a big mess and they were much bigger players then Zog.
Zog is a good player who has just signed a 5 year contract and now he is bitching? The fans have done nothing wrong!
60 gloryhunter // Feb 5, 2008 at 23:44
Leo @ 16: Yup I noticed it. Shame he doesn’t shout at anyone else. I reckon Shay’s days are numbered anyway (and Harps will end up at Darlo). I just don’t want to see Zog go.
61 gloryhunter // Feb 5, 2008 at 23:51
@ToonUSA. Well said. The reason so many want to leave is because some of the senior players think thay are part of the establishment - “hey man, we’ve seen all this before” - poisoning the atmosphere. Also, there seems to be a gulf between the playing staff and the non-playing staff (swanning about thinking they own the bloody place). KK will kick all this nonsense into touch!
He has man-management skills OK, but he won’t take sh*t from anyone. It’s KK we have to support - there’s gonna be some painful decisions over the coming months cos he can’t trust any of his backroom staff at the moment.
62 barn // Feb 6, 2008 at 0:00
Let’s fight to keep N’Zogbia. He’s a great lad who has given his 100% on the pitch, running himself out till the clock runs down and never one to shy away from taking shots or attempting those dangerous balls into the penalty box. I believe the media has a knack of blowing things up, so let’s not get caught in it and adding more fuel. I won’t dare to say I know N’Zogbia but I take what I see on the pitch. Of course, as a professional footballer, he should honour his contract agreements. I’ll leave it to KK to sort things out.
63 M. Stockley // Feb 6, 2008 at 0:05
be a shame if its true. but if hes unhappy he is no good to us….i just hope in the summer we look at it and if we sell him, we replace him properly… i just hope we have the balls to go for great players not just good players… but with all the turmoil and the way our club is dragged through the dirt constantly, i hope that the fact that one of our best players is looking for a move wont harm our chances of attracting the players we need here!
64 Leo* // Feb 6, 2008 at 0:19
next match i will be watching for it again, might try and get a video haha. might count the amount of times given kicks the ball up the field and we loose the ball. compared to the amount of times he roles the ball to the full backs, i bet there is a massive contrast. unless keegan has knocked him into place.
at half time the other day shamus came out early for some shot stopping practice, people were shouting practice ur kicking mate etc.
65 Richard // Feb 6, 2008 at 9:34
Duff is better than the Zog. Would still be a big shame to lose someone so young with so much potential.
66 CJ // Feb 6, 2008 at 14:01
Richard- have you watched us play Duff better than Zog keep off the drugs Duff is shit and Zog is by far the most talented player at the club.
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