At the end of last season Newcastle fans were wondering if Charles N’Zogbia would still be at the club at the end of August.
Charles N’Zogbia – wants to move to London
Newcastle left winger Charles N’Zogbia is reported to be ready to tell Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan he has a desire to play somewhere other than at Newcastle, preferably at Arsenal or Tottenham.
The French Under-21 international, who Newcastle signed from Le Havre when he was just 18 years old in 2004, has been linked with a move away from St James’ Park, following reports that he is unsettled on Tyneside.
N’Zogbia started 27 Premier League matches last season for Newcastle, and still has four years remaining on his current deal, which he signed last September.
Maybe we should explain to Charles that contracts are not just pieces of paper but they are agreements to be honored on both sides, as a legal document.
Not that the recent ridiculous pronouncements from Joseph “Sepp” Blatter, the President of FIFA helps much.
Sepp compared players’ contracts today to modern slavery, and then had the utter gall to say that Christiano Ronaldo should be allowed to leave the Red Devils for Real Madrid “if he wants to.”
How do these people ever get elected to high office when they come out with these stupid statements all the time?
We suppose someone has to explain to Sepp about what contracts are for – because it seems like he has no idea.
N’Zogbia has said he wants to hold talks with manager Kevin Keegan shortly to discuss his future at the club, and he told France Football yesterday:
“At the end of last season I didn’t play a lot, so that has given me desire to play somewhere else.”
” When I talk with the coach it will be clearer. My priority is to play.”
“I have dreamed about Arsenal since I was kid. I would be delighted to join the Gunners.”
“It is a famous team that has big coverage in France. But Tottenham is exciting too.”
“I have never played in Ligue 1. That could be an experience in my career. But frankly, it is not my current priority.”
” I am playing in one of the best leagues in the world. And I feel a little like at home here.”
If Charles wants to play regularly, the last thing he should do is move to Arsenal – if they in fact want him.
There are some great players at the Gunners, who cannot get a game in the first team, and Charles will have a much better chance of playing first team football on Tyneside.
But if we he really wants to move to London, we know Kevin will not stand in his way – but Newcastle need to put a decent transfer fee on the player, and only sell him, if a club meets that figure.
If that doesn’t happen then Charles has an obligation to stay at the club, because he signed a 5 year contract last year, and should have thought about all this before he signed the contract.
Of course we may hear from The FIFA President on this in the future, telling Newcastle to sell Charles to Arsenal immediately, for whatever Arsenal want to pay for him, should in fact Arsenal actually want him.
That’s no more ridiculous than the statement he made recently on the Ronaldo case.
And these people run world football?
Heaven help us.
Comments welcome, but please keep them civil.
104 comments so far
CRAIGG
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Comment #41Milner can cover either wing or central so yep buy SWP, Jonas left.
————————-Given——————–
—Beye———-Taylor—-Lugano——-Shorey—
SWP——–Barton————–Aimar—Jonas—
——————Owen—Viduka——————–
Subs: Harper, Faye, Enrique, Butt, Milner, Martins, Smith
Kash2
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Comment #42I would have rather we kept him this season, played him as much as we could to inflate his price more!
mikeygd
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Comment #43the only reason he didnt play at the end of the season was because of his desire to leave (his attitude).
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Comment #44Steve T (24) – Danish_Magpie (39) and a few others totally agree! He just wants to play in his natural position which is midfield (LW) and (AM) give him that chance and he’ll be one of our best players!! We should be getting rid of DUFF not ZOGGY!!!! come on wake up, pull your finger out and sell our rubbish and bring in QUALITY!!!!
WesToon
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Comment #45Typicall…this is, if the Lad doesnt wanna play for us,let him go!!!! The toon have lacked players who are trully there commited for many years now! In response to some on here who said, You cant blame a frenchman for wanting to play for the Arse!! i agree there mate, BUT he also said Spurs interests him, now THAT p*sses me off!!
Ericles
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Comment #46According to the Liverpool Echo (BBC sports gossip) we have had a bid for Danny Guthrie accepted. What now?
Hadji
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Comment #47Tam Toon…..Your list is good but could you please remove Robert from there.
Why dont you put some English whingers too:Jenas,Woodgate,Dyer,Parker,Bellamy(Welsh but who cares).
At least Robert won us so many games
tam toon
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Comment #48Maestro your right about the squad ,I think we need 7 or 8 mate. They are even talking about Edgar , Kadar, Tozer and Carroll on loan somewhere are we missing the point? Can you get into Europe with 16 players including injury victims duff, owen and viduka. And rubbish like geremi and smith and duff again and cacapa. Plus jail bird joey, oh mate I have just depressed myself.
ObaFan2
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Comment #49Blatter and Platini should both be thrown out of office. They both are so obviously anti EPL.
I agree with the comment 22 about mentioning the Arse nal along with Spurs….. no comparrison really! Not that I like either but Whiner has been very succesful@ Gooner land.
If he wants to go then sell him imo. If he cannot see the future’s bright at NUFC then bye bye. IMO he struggles to make our first team, how’s he expect to be first choice for a CL team !
WesToon
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Comment #50Thanx for the gr8 site Ed, this one & magpiesnews.com are awesome!! Have been visiting this site for a LONG time now,finally after a lot of reading,im here to post comments,been a TOON fan for over 15 years now,im from South Africa & wanted to know if any1 on here knew about coaching schools in Newcastle??
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Comment #51Whats with some fans they slag off the media about certain articles then believe others! Charles N’zogbia is our best young talent in midfield and maybe the 1st team! HE JUST WANTS TO PLAY FOOTBALL!!!
domtoon
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Comment #52I used to really like Zog but he’s fallen off Big Time this last year.
It’s right – Spurs fans are gonna hate him if he ends up signing for them and not Arsenal, and if he does get to Arsenal, there’s no way he’s going to be playing week-in, week-out.
He’s have been much better continuing as he had done by keeping his head down with the Toon, growing his fanbase which was quite considerable, and concentrating on his pacey attacking play. If he stuck with us (and he may yet), and we achieve our goals over the four years left on his contract, he’d have gone down as a bit of a legend. Unfortunately, he has put a huge dent in this possibility with a few silly comments.
I have a distinct feeling if he moves to either Spurs or the Goons, he will be flushing his career down the toilet. The only exception is he may get more games at Spurs and break into their first team, but again, he’s not going to be an instant fan favourite with that over-inflated ego of his. What exactly has he accomplished to think so highly of himself? He’s a talented player but by no means stratospheric.
For shame!
domtoon
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Comment #53And yes, I think it’s quite clear for all to see that Sep Blatter is an idiot of George Bush proportions. His idiocy speaks for itself.
Slavery…I laughed my arse off when I heard that the other morning when getting up for work. In fact, I didn’t believe it at the time.
Typical of Blatter to say something like this.
In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a big wind-up. Yes, that’s it. He must be bored.
ObaFan2
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Comment #54HPR, they are quotes from the player not just journo made up tripe.
domtoon
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Comment #55And I’m not quite sure why footballers have to make their ‘dreams’ public. It’s as though they have no PR nous whatsoever. Doesn’t he realise if this transfer doesn’t go through, he is going to be villified by the Toon Army for these comments?
Okay, maybe not villified, but his image as a former fan favourite has taken a nose-dive.
In my opinion he is a very foolish young man, but I’m sure he will learn from this.
bailey
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Comment #56Wouldn’t it be great if the likes of Wenger etc came out and said categorically that N’Zogbia was wasting his time even thinking about joining Arsenal etc. Of course managers won t because they will always want to keep their options open.
Wish Charles would just get on with playing for us because I think he could be real class.
Derdi4Toon
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Comment #57if he’s gone who will sign for us to play LW? Duff is a retiree. Guti or Larssson can play LW? sure, but they are no more effective than Milner there. Emre will go. unless we no longer play wingers. so 4321 or 433? well we don’t have enough strikers with Duke out, Carroll unproven, Oba inconsistent (and unsettled?), and Owen ageing and yet to sign an extension … well …
goonertilidie
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Comment #58I aint being funny me ol geordie pals – we don’t want/need the boy we have just signed Nasri so I hope he does stay with you lot – as for Given – why would we want him now? great keeper – but if he can’t start for Newcastle he would be keeping the bench warm with Zog!
To be honest you lot would know more than me about the Zog but from what I know of him I aint that excited about the prospect of signing him.
‘Merci’ as we say at the emirates
PS. do you want Adebeyor another ungrateful prick?
Fergie
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Comment #59apparently we’ve had a bid accepted for Danny Guthrie…
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/07/11/scott-carson-heads-for-liverpool-exit-100252-21325245/
Obafan
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Comment #60I never liked N’Zogbia; I think he is overrated. By saying these comments he just confirms my thoughts about him. He thinks he is better than he actually is. If I was KK, I would sell this idiot and use the money on players who really want to play for the club.
Oh and by the way, N’Zogbia could be a good benchwarmer in London, cause he will never ghet a starting spot at Spurs or Arsenal.
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Comment #61Yes he has made some comments in the past! the reason being he is frustrated!!! he proved to the fans at the beginning of last season he wants to play for the club, by signing a new 5 year contract! if he gets to play football he will be happy!!!
getting rid of duff would help to prove to him he is a major part of the clubs plans!!
tam toon
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Comment #62Hadji- great player -whinger. I actually knew him through a mate of mine nice bloke- but had a habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. He was one of my favourites though for his assists and goals. He was not a defender ever he always played an advanced role and only Sir Bob seemed to know that. 😀
Marguerite
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:55 PM
Comment #63I used to really think he was going to be a top notch player, but unfortunately over the past 2 seasons he has not developed as I would have hoped. I know he was injured and was played out of position, but too many times there is no end product to his play and his attitude leaves a lot to be desired.
So, as short as we are of players, if he wants out, get the best price for him and let him go. We can use the money to buy someone who is keen and wants to pull on the shirt and wear it with pride.
Also, when my friend was at Newcastle a couple of seasons ago doing the hush hush photography for Addidas re the launch of our current shirt, he was appalled at the rude and unco-operative attitude of Zog.
Ed – don’t get me started on that corrupt man Blatter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Comment #64Wenger is french and has come out a few times saying he was a big fan of Charles!! he has the quality and talent that we the fans and the club want!!! He just wants to play!!!
Graham
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Comment #65Hang on this is the press twisting things again just like they did with Martins.
All he says is that he wants to play football – and if he isn’t playing football at NUFC then maybe he should look elsewhere.
He didn’y play much at then end of last season because Owen, Martins and Viduka were coming up with the goods. Zog was injured before this and Keegan didn’t want to change a winning combination.
He has already said he is happy in Newcastle but just wants to play.
More bollocks from National and international press. The way they make things up even Alan Oliver could get a job for them!
ObaFan2
Jul 11, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Comment #66I’d have hoped KK would have helped settle him down a little over the last 6 months and he’d have seen the possibilities at the Toon.
I keep thinking of …. big fish in a small lake compared to small fish in big sea…. scenario with alot of players in the EPL.
Only exception @ Toon imo is Oba who I think would fit in 90% of teams world wide and be pretty succesful.
SteveD
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Comment #67“How do these people ever get elected to high office when they come out with these stupid statements all the time?”
And why has he not been replaced yet = pure corruption.
paul p
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:02 PM
Comment #68why are we not signing anyone. us fans who have just paid 1400 for 3 years approx or more or have taken the one year option have been mugged yet again by newcastle. lets face it. we are not going to sign anyone are we. we can be linked with tom, dick or harry as far as i am concerned, but we are not going to get anyone decent are we. its p’ing me right off as i can only see us just say keeping in the top flight at this stage. and further news fat ask wants someone to buy in to newcastle says we have no money. we are a joke. sick of it as well.
GREGGS STOTTIE
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:04 PM
Comment #69i had wet dream once thought i supported Sunderland
Davies
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Comment #70Young and impetuous that N’Zogbia. I like his style of football, and he has the ability to be a fundamental part of the team that fires us back to the top.
If Keegan gives him what he wants, regular football (and why shouldn’t he? the boy’s very good), I think he can make amends for his comments. I also think that he would stick with Newcastle.
The only fear is that he recaptures his impressive form, improves his attitude and then becomes more attractie to the likes of Wenger and Ramos. If they really want him, it will be hard to cinvince him to stay, but with his current attitude “issues”, I don’t think they’d touch him.
What a conundrum.
chuck
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Comment #71What is it about NUFC that players like N`Zogbia, Martens, etc. want away ?
Fac is, the club is in a state of dissaray at present.
A tightening of the purse strings, present squad reduced to barely a hand full.
No sign of any signings (at least not above £5m.bracket)
Questionable denials from management in regard to the future of the club.
Seems most transfer targets are snubbing the club, even prefering the smoggies.
Its about time ownership and management got on the same page and a little PR would`nt hurt.
The club has great potential, but not if it continues in the present direction.
DC Magpie
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Comment #72What kind of report is this? who published it?
He is unsettled, “I am playing in one of the best leagues in the world. And I feel a little like at home here.â€
Wait, what?
I’m not sure I believe anything in the press anymore. The last thing I heard from him was that he’s happy so what has changed? I believe it when I see it, not just unattributed quotes.
MAG PIE
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Comment #73DC Magpie – supposedly he said it to france Football but I’ve just looked on France Football site and can’t find this interview at all.
Who is his agent?
Andy1
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Comment #74I doubt Arsenal would want him. They have just spent big money on Nasri who I think plays the same position.
I would hate him to go to Spurs because I think he is probably our best attacking midfielder at the moment. He would be hard to replace as he has a special talent at running with the ball and threatening the opposition defence.
Paul
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Comment #75Fine, let him move to London. But not at a”bargain basement” price. He’s had numerous attempts to show us what he could do and has been found wanting. If he thinks he’ll get first team football at Tottenham or Arsenal without showing more determination, he will rot on their bench. When he came to Newcastle, I thought he might be special. How wrong I was.
Andy1
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Comment #76Also I think we will switch back to 442 and he will be first choice leftwing. He couldn’t say he wants to move to Arsenal to get football because he will be a benchwarmer – look at what happened to Diarra. Even at Spurs he may struggle to get games as Giovani was mainly a left winger for Barca.
A geordiedoonsooth
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Comment #77Let the stroppy little french git go, but only for at least £10m or maybe we could swap him for Lennon from Spurs.
Stamford Toon
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:46 PM
Comment #78Not a lot of loyalty to our players from most contributors to this blog. As soon as anyone reports that one of our players wants first team football and has thought about other teams you forget what he has done for us, hurl abuse at him and say goodriddance. You are ready to slag off the press when they critisise our club and call them liars but then ready to believe other reports without question. Be fair lads.
I disagree with ed over the transfer system and contracts. Clubs are willing to break contracts as and when they wish so how can we expect players not to do the same. The system stinks, it’s all about money and not loyalty or legal agreements.
Micky Toon
Jul 11, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Comment #79Paul p – no one has mugged you at all. Did you get a cast iron promise with your renewal form that NUFC would be investing in world class players? Did it mention them by name? No it didn’t. You know what you are buying into as it’s not exactly been quiet on the NUFC front. You know we haven’t invested heavily in players, so stop moaning that you’ve somehow been conned into buying a season ticket. I’m guessing no one put a gun to your head.
Once again people on here just pick and chose which part of the articles they want to be true to suit their own opinions or agenda. The Zog has not said he wants to leave at all. Go back and read the quotes. He is a talent and now because some people think he wants to leave he’s suddenly crap. No wonder the rest of the footballing world thinks NUFC fans are fickle.
Also having a pop at the lad because he earns a massive amount of money per week is just laughable. Footballers wages are obscene, but there is nothing you can do about it, they are paid the going rate for their trade. Should we also not be interested in anyone who doesn’t declare undying love for all things NUFC? Wake up and realise that not every footballer worships the team we do and if they comment that they followed another team as a boy and they would love to play for that team, does not mean they cannot and will not do a good job for us. In the current 1st team, there’s probably only Taylor who has actually attended a NUFC match as a fan.
domtoon
Jul 11, 2008 at 2:05 PM
Comment #80Micky, these comments from Zog about Arsenal and Spurs need not have been said. He is not doing himself any favours, and should choose his words more carefully. It’s clear he’s unhappy and opening up doors to a potential move, should the option come up. It’s how footballers put their thoughts out, via the media, and happens every day. And certain fans don’t like it for good reason!
Who doesn’t want to play regularly? I’m pretty sure that most pro footballers want to play (except for the old and lazy ones perhaps!) every game. He is not getting picked, probably because he doesn’t fit into KK’s plans, or is simply not showing it on the training ground. Again, perhaps it was due to circumstances at the time he didn’t fit well into Big Sam’s weird formations, but the fact is he signed a contract and he should put more effort in to get picked. He plays for the Toon, the Toon don’t play for him.
Is it so unreasonable to be unhappy with his mention of playing, no, dreaming of playing, for other teams? I don’t think so to be honest. He gets paid alot to play for us and has alot of years left on his contract and these kinds of statements from players rile the fans up for good reason. What’s more, he contradict’s his previous comments a few months back saying he wants to stay and has never wanted to leave. We fickle? More like the player to me…
Players are allowed to have their own thoughts and feelings of course, but there is a way of doing things in a respectful and dignified manner. If he had come out and stamped out any of these links to London, it would be a very different blog article, no? I’m all for standing by players who go about things in a professional manner i.e. keep their head down, work hard, and work through the hard patches. One rough season, one year into his contract, and the kid’s talking about Arsenal and Spurs. He’s in his early 20s, he should be talking about taking Newcastle forwards, not about his childhood dreams of Arsenal. The circumstances just do not justify.
And no one said he was crap, just not the amazing player he seems to think he is, wanting to go to a Champ’s league team thinking he will suddenly get first team football.
The man isn’t far off cuckoo land if you ask me. He should show it for the Toon first, cos Ronaldo he aint.