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. Â
Comments welcome.
37 responses so far ↓
1 Leo // Jul 5, 2008 at 13:36
yep just a lil bit carried away but ‘kevolution’ may be afoot and lets just hope these ‘5′ players are unbelievable
2 WIGAZ // Jul 5, 2008 at 13:47
Good to see taylor sign this deal he’s a future toon skipper & i think he will be as good as the likes of terry & rio! shame we couldn’t of got woodgate back tp play with him but nevermind! would love to see us get evans too along with an experienced CB so they could both learn off him, we could end up with best young defensive partnership in league taylor & evans! for experienced cb would love sol campbell or jamie carrigher! (no chance in that tho) maybe ledley king!
3 ObaFan2 // Jul 5, 2008 at 13:49
“To play the same defense every week gives you the chance to get used to each other and build up an understanding.â€
Something Big Sham never seemed to understand changing the back 4 every game or so.
Owen needs to sign a contract soon as he’s into his last year of his current contact BUT Oba needs sorting too imo.
4 Albert Stigys // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:02
WIGAZ - “i think he will be as good as the likes of terry & rio!”
That is ridiculous. He’s a decent young player yes, but to mention him in the same breath as John Terry and Rio Ferdinand is utter balls. I’d rather have David Wheater than Taylor in our team.
5 WIGAZ // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:06
Those 2 were also once raw unfinished players who had potential! i wouldn’t say he’s in their league now! nowhere near! but to say he could be someday aint that ridiculous! wheater is a goon! he looks like the evil bloke from lemmney Snickett! is a good player though! but i’d have taylor over that bloke anyday!
6 Albert Stigys // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:11
why do you put an exclamation mark at the end of every sentence! its extremely annoying wigaz! and rio ferdinand was being sold to leeds united for 20 million at the same age as taylor! to compare the players is an insult to JT and Rio!
7 Martin // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:12
Wheater looks like he COULD be class - but lets remember that Taylor has been in our first team squad for 4 years!!! Wheater has only had a year of first team action (was he even on the bench before then?) So let’s see how his 2nd season plays out with a lot more expectancy and pressure on his shoulders…
1 thing i’m sure of, if Wheater plays this year aswell as he did last, he’ll be in high demand amongst the top 4!
8 51times // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:13
Albert - Hop off Rio’s dick and take JT’s out of your mouth mate.
9 Alex // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:17
What about Edgar then ? he looks a good defender in the making ,yet loads of fans continue to call for the signing of Evans. It will take a big bid to get him and we already have Edgar.
10 Albert Stigys // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:27
51 times- In truth i hate rio ferdinand. hes an absolute knob, and he has all the personality of a meat cleaver. John terry is not much better, and ive disliked him since he taunted americans days after the 9/11 attacks. But, as footballers, you cannot knock them.
I would hate this to be construed as anti-taylor, because i think he is a good prospect for us, but hes never going to be world class.
11 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:31
I think taylor needs a top quality defender to teach and guide him through next season!!
12 Dillon // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:33
taylor aint worth that wage
13 euanpolo // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:34
Pablo Aimar’s agent has confirmed that Newcastle are interested in Aimar, and that his client would like a move to Newcastle. We should tie the transfer up now, Benfica and Everton are also interested in him.
14 Obafan // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:35
Good news, but I hope he plays better than last year, cause he made childish mistakes which cost the team points. I still think Cacapa needs a fair run under KK, cause I can’t believe he is average after his fantastic years in Lyon (and with them in the ECL).
I still prefer the renewing of the contracts of Oba and Owen over Taylor’s. Why?
- Owen has prooved at the end of the season that he is able to reach his old goal scoring level.
- Oba: I’m sick of those stories about the buy out clause and Wenger willing to buy him. If NUFC really wants to build a good team; his contract should have been renewed by ages.
15 Lull // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:38
Off topic but it seem Jonas’s website is on demand
16 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:40
hope we bring in some quality by monday tea time!!
17 51times // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:48
Albert - What did he say about 9/11 like? I must have missed that.
18 Martin // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:48
Ed, someone’s already mentioned it but here’s the link for that Pablo Aimar article -
http://footylatest.com/news/news.php?extend.1074
Still just he said, she said stuff, but I’d deffinately welcome him if he came - ease a lot of frayed nerves I think!
19 Bob // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:54
Apparently, Ivan KLASNIC’s agent has said that he is going to move to WIGAN!!!! (check the Times’ rumour section!)
Do you think that he would be worth a bid?
On another note, the Times also reports that Spurs are after Skejlbred as well!
20 Spyro // Jul 5, 2008 at 14:55
guys, the aimer news is the same news from weeks ago, same quotes and everything, it is a slow days for news i see
21 Albert Stigys // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:00
51 times - Days after the 9/11 attacks he taunted American tourists about it at an airport. I think Jody Morris and Frank Lampard were involved aswell.
22 bailey // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:04
Great:another 3 years of rent a quote with Anal Oliver.
23 Matthew // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:10
“i think he will be as good as the likes of terry & rio!â€
…………………………..
At what? Fifa 09?
24 Lull // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:33
I just want to mention my concern here. Dont you guys think that the only natural CM we have left is Butt?
25 T.O.Mag // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:35
Why a 3 year contract and not a 5 year?
26 DanToon // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:37
…………..Given
Baye Faye Collocini Enrique
……Aimar Inler Gutirrez
…………….Owen
……….Guiza Martins
Subs…
Larsson, N’Zogbia, Milner, Taylor, Butt, Viduka, Harper.
Sell…
Smith, Cacapa, Amiobi, Geremi, Barton (sell don’t sack).
What ya think? Six signings and i feel all those subs are good enough to be in the starting eleven if there are injuries etc. That’s gotta be a top six team?????
27 nufc09 // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:42
pablo aimar’s agent says we are interested in him and that he would want to come.
http://footylatest.com/news/news.php?extend.1074
28 Lull // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:45
I would creamed myself if that players are coming through especially Inler, but I think Geremi and Cacapa can still contribute something for the club i.e experience (not corners from Geremi tho)
29 T.O.Mag // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:48
Geremi not good enough, never seen him play well
30 scottish mag // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:49
______given__________
beye-faye-coloccini-enrique
____inler–aurelio_______
jonas__________barnetta
______aimar_________
____owen/martins_____
31 Lull // Jul 5, 2008 at 15:53
@DanToon- you forgot to mention Duff. I would say keep him atm
@T.O.Mag- I think so too. But atm, he’ll be sufficient backup for Beye and we can’t let too many players go in one summer for obvious reasons.
32 DanToon // Jul 5, 2008 at 16:01
Oh yes Duff i forgot about him, say’s it all really. Yeah let the Mackem’s aka IRA have him…
33 Lull // Jul 5, 2008 at 16:05
IRA…lol… do they have definite interest in him or just shit-stirring by the papers?
Silent weekend in here. Hope to see more signing on monday, Inler perhaps.
34 DanToon // Jul 5, 2008 at 16:09
Well he is Irish i so would imagine it’s a strong possibility lol…
35 Ashton // Jul 5, 2008 at 16:19
Taylor is still young for a CB imo he will get better in the future
36 CRAIGG // Jul 5, 2008 at 17:24
Taylor was outstanding the seasons before last and no where near as bad as some are making out last season if he was so bad how was he the only one of our squad to get into the top 100 actim rating thing.
As i said the other day James Milner has created 30 goals and scored 12 in the last 3 seasons playing for Villa and us in teams that finished 17th, 13th and 12th, Zog has created 21 and scored 9 in the last few seasons of real underachievment.
Martins has scored 27 goals in a poor side in the last 2 seasons.
Enrique showed some moments of quality last season and we have some really decent youngsters at the club with more to follow.
If we put quality players around these young lads they will flourish and by quality i mean much better than Faye (good but…) at CB.
37 ToonTex // Jul 5, 2008 at 17:30
As I’ve said — our best center halves have yet to be bought. I think Taylor is a longshot to become a truly dominate defender.