It looks like Steven Taylor has annoyed Newcastle United officials with his recent comments criticizing them for the lack of progress over a new contract.
Steven Taylor – has to forget about his contract for now
The England Under-21 captain appears to have tried to put pressure on the Newcastle Chairman and Board, at exactly the wrong time. Most everybody at the club are more concerned about how to avoid relegation right now, than anything else.
The 22-year-old’s current deal has another 15 months to run so there is time to renegotiate in the summer. Of course one thing very relevant in those negotiations is whether we’ll be in the Premier League next season.
It will be a massive money loss for the club if we get relegated, because teams in the Premier League get a massive £40M from the worldwide TV market that has the games live on TV in most countries of the world.
We think Steven was offered £20K/week last September and that was only a few weeks after James Milner signed a deal at £30K/week, so we think Steven had some reason to balk.
But now is not the time to bring this up, as it’s all hands to the pump these days to avoid relegation.
Steven has said:
“I am 100% committed to Newcastle United and don’t see myself playing for any other football club.â€
“This is where I want to play my football. I’m happy here, and working with Kevin Keegan is fantastic.â€
“I used to watch Keegan’s teams play from the stands with my dad and it’s a dream come true to play for him.â€
Good words from Steven.
Some advice to young Taylor – don’t even think about your contract fro the rest of the season but be 100% committed to saving the Newcastle club from relegation – just like everybody else connected to the club we all love.
Comments welcome.
6 comments so far
HeronMag
Mar 7, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Comment #1It could prove a financial disaster for the club to invest in a long term contract for Taylor now. I don’t think it’s too much to imagine he wants £30k to £40k per week.
That amount would cripple us if we go down. Any contract agreed would have to have a relegation clause stating Taylor would receive a substantial pay cut when playing in the Championship.
Personally I would advise Taylor to hold fire until the end of the season and see who Keegan brings in. If we stay up (which we should!) both Newcastle and Taylor could negotiate from a strengthened position.
Eric
Mar 7, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Comment #2Steven should get his priorities right. Staying in the premiership comes first. If we manage that then he can start negotiating. It is no good him saying all he wants is to play for Newcastle and then proceed to take his hand off the pump. It would take me two years to earn what he wants for one week!!!!
MattyDread
Mar 7, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Comment #3I can see where he’s coming from. Can you imagine only being offered £20,000 a week to play football? It’s a hard life.
George
Mar 7, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Comment #4I am afraid that this just shows how little these overpaid footballers think about the job in hand. Everybody else is focused on the situation, yet Taylor who has more than a year to run on his existing contract, wants to talk about a new one. Personally i would show him the door. This is twice inside 12 months Taylors demands have caused a bit upheaval and ill feeling at SJP.
He obviously does not think as he also seems to be showing on the field more and more, that he is not thinking, and mistakes have occured.
If Taylor is concerned about his contractlet us see if any club comes in for him ,or the quality of club, then and only then might he see his real worth.
Obafan
Mar 7, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Comment #5Overrated player. If they receive half a descent offer they should take it. Makes too many mistakes and is not interested as most of the time he is laughing whenever he makes his mistakes. Don’t like him at all, and for me Cacapa and Diatta in the center and Faye in front of them and that will proove to be a solid defence.
Eric
Mar 7, 2008 at 3:40 PM
Comment #6I agree with Obafan. Taylor throws his toys out of the pram just too often for my liking. I have also noticed the laughs when he makes a cock-up – that is immaturity. I still believe he could make a good centre back with effort. Time to shut his gob (and his dad too) and get on with the REAL job in hand