Steven Taylor signed a new lucrative 3 year deal yesterday with Newcastle United, and not surprisingly, he has been interviewed today be the Evening Chronicle.
Steven Taylor – now on £35K/week at the club
Steven told the Evening Chronicle today:
“I’m buzzing – and pleased to have signed a new contract.”
“Newcastle is the only club that I’ve wanted to play for and I’m pleased it is sorted.”
“Now I can’t wait to get my teeth into the new season.â€
Taylor played well last season, especially once Kevin had arrived back at the club, and Keegan seemed to have lots of confidence in the youngster, as he played him in every game towards the end of the campaign.
And Taylor more than once expressed some worry and frustration that Newcastle may not offer him a new deal, but he was still able to consistently perform for the club, which shows us a growing maturity of the youngster.
Steven continued:
“It’s a great experience for me to play against people like Drogba and Adebayor.”
“It’s a good challenge and I want to test myself against the best in the world.”
“I have learned a lot and it has been a good opportunity.â€
Taylor of course played alongside Abdoulaye Faye at the end of the season and Faye seemed to help calm the talented youngster down, and they formed a powerful partnership at the center of the Magpies defense.
Taylor added:
“The gaffer has had the confidence to play me in almost every game.”
“I have the utmost respect for him.”
“To play the same defense every week gives you the chance to get used to each other and build up an understanding.â€
And Kevin Keegan said today:
“I’m very happy to see Steven sign a new contract.“
“As well as looking to strengthen your squad from outside, you also want to make sure you keep the best players you already have.”
“Steven has come through the ranks of the Academy into the first team and his future is at Newcastle United.â€
And the contract the club offered Steven was a very good one at £35K/week, which is just over £1.8M a year.
That’s a great deal for a 22 year-old – at that age I was at Newcastle University on a government grant of £10/week 😀 – and that should dispel those growing myths about Ashley being stingy.
As long as Mike isn’t stingy with players who produce at the club, like Steven.
We’re OK with him wanting to sell players who didn’t give value for money, like Carr and Rozehnal.
Now all we need is to get captain Michael Owen signed to a new contract, and then bring in say 5 more additional top players, and then we’ll be able to take the Red Devils apart at Old Trafford, in our first league game.
Whoops – getting carried away again.  😀
Comments welcome.