Sebastien Bassong has confirmed, as we reported last Friday, that he is joining Newcastle United for a week’s trial.
Sebastien Bassong - will be in on one week’s trial at Newcastle this week
The 6′ 2″ Metz defender will leave the Ligue 1 club’s pre-season training camp to link up with Newcastle United for the coming week.
Although Everton have also been linked with the 22-year-old, he is penciled in to work with Newcastle next week, and because he is willing to come to Newcastle for a week’s trial, we have to believe that if he impresses he will be willing to join the Tyneside club.
Bassong said yesterday:
“It’s a very good thing for me,” “Newcastle are not nothing.”
“I will give everything and we will see how my situation is later.”
It’s nice to know we’re not nothing, but that’s hardly a compliment is it?  
The Metz defender turned down a move to Dynamo Bucharest recently, and he has just a year left on his contract, and if Newcastle are impressed by what they see, the club could probably get a decent deal for the player, who has already played over 75 times for Metz.
The youngster has been linked with Everton, Blackburn and Aston Villa previously, but it looks like Newcastle may now be in the driver’s seat for the defender.
He is a French Under-21 International and Everton were said just last week, to be trying to strike a deal of £2M for the player, since Metz may lose him for nothing next summer.
Bassong stands just under 6′2″ tall, was born in Paris, and is of French-Cameroon descent.
Comments welcome.
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72 responses so far ↓
1 CRAIGG // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:13
Never seen him or heard of him but Everton are usually good at making shrewd transfers like Lescott, Jagielka, Arteta and Cahill
2 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:13
hmmm, i wonder what sort of defender he is, technical or no nonsense?
3 NUFCAl // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:16
Spyro - Judging by his gloves, I’d say technical, or as it’s otherwise known, ‘gay’.
4 Yahya Ahmad // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:16
He would probly be like Nemanja Vidic! If he is then I’ll be over the moon!
5 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:18
Yahya Ahmed, a CB like Evra would be horrific! lol
6 Black and White Blood // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:20
What ever happened to the good old English defender…? Continental defenders make me nervous.!! I would go as far to say I would rather AF sign for the club – That’s just me though.
Is there any news on the Emre situation?
7 HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:26
having trials with NUFC, If he was any good he would have been snapped up by now? its obvious that for some reason or another he hasn’t!?
8 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:32
i see your in a calmer mood today HPS, lol
you have a point i suppose, maybe the scouts rate him but KK wants to see him for himself?
9 Bill F Splash the Cash Ash // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:43
I would think his quote may have lost something in translation and a little out of context. If not then his enthusiasm is underwhelming.
10 Toon_Ksk // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:47
So I guess we are something
11 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:52
I doubt he spoke in English if he has played in France all his career so im guessing he might have meant something different lost in translation in regard to “They are not nothing” comment.
12 Martin // Jul 14, 2008 at 12:59
Fair enough, this seems to fit with our ’sensible’ signing policy - we’re not just diving in and throwing money at him, if Kev reckons he’s good enough then he’ll get the contract and I’ll be happy - if not we’ll have saved blowing 2m on another french flop!
13 Kash2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:09
Has anybody ever seen him play?
14 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:11
nope
15 Ben_BKK // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:11
Spyro what’s your comment about a CB like Evra being horrible about? Or did he edit his post after you pointed it out? lol
16 Kash2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:13
Someone must have seen him play? Where’s Tom_Toon when you need someone who’s a footballholic?
17 WesToon // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:14
Kash2,ive seen him play,not a bad player,sort of the Abdoulaye Faye mold!!
18 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:15
Kash, tom toon aint seen him either
Ben, i think Yahya edited it after, he must have mixed vidic and evra up, not sure
19 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:16
I haven’t seen him play but he seems versatile from some other post said he could play LB and CB. We need a LB so if he is good sign him up. From the other teams mentioned (if its anything to go by) it looks a good signing if we do get him. Everton, Villa and Blackburn all aiming for Europe so if its true they see something there aswell.
20 Kash2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:16
@Wes : I’m not Faye’s biggest fan really, so you haven’t sold him to me!
I was hoping we may go for a quick CB!
21 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:17
i hope he is a LB/CB as this will almost guarantee his technical ability, and we NEED a technical CB now Rozehnal is gone, Cacapa is not technical enough for me
22 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:17
Kompany is the new Albert. Attacking CB. And he is from Belgium too. People say he is out of our league we won’t know until we make a bid.
23 Kash2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:20
Has anybody seen Petri Passanen play regularly for Werder? I know Werder are in the CL, but have heard good things about him!
24 laurent32 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:22
does anyone think we are going ott with the youth policy. its all good and well trying to invest for the future but at the moment we have young cb’s in taylor edgar and kadar, the last 2 who are going to be wanting first team action in the next season or so. getting in another is just going to limit the opportunities and hinder their progress. i would agree if it was for other positions but i think for cb we just need someone experienced and proven top quality, about 26-28 and in their prime who can help these youngsters progress.
25 Geordie1607 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:25
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m48KsgYqx48
The new penalty taker:P
26 Kash2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:28
Whens KK gonna start talking to the press again?
27 Darryl // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:30
so he is left footed. atleast something good come from that, otherwise embaressing miss.
Beye Taylor Bassong Enrique… ?
He could possibly play left back.
28 Matt // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:33
It’s a no lose situation for the club.
If he’s good we sign him but if he’s not up to standard then we send him back and it’s cost us nothing.
Edgar isn’t good enough and the likes of Tozer and Kadar are likely to be sent out on loan next season.
29 clinta // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:37
Sounds a promising prospect, another player of good age and value if he’s any good and with us giving him a trial first, we can have a proper lok and decide.
all in all i think things aren’t looking so bad with the way our current transfers are coming along, but i guess most still wouldn’t agree.
30 Dondatta13 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:38
Well, If he’s willing to come for a trial … at leat that shows A) he has confidence in his ability and B) he is NOT egotistical!
This trial period has gone a long way in restoring my faith in the beautiful game … the game which has been kidnapped by pre madonna’s … or is that SLAVES? lol
This is a win win situation for all concearned.
31 ObaFan2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:41
KK said a couple of weeks to talk to the press and that will take us to the match on Saturday against ‘pool.
I’d expect any potential signings to be completed this week if thats the case. Fingers crossed.
32 WesToon // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:42
@ Kash2,totally agree with u there,but if its a CB with pace needed,look no further than a certain,Mr J.Evans!!! What a player he is gonna be!! What you think bout him??
33 ObaFan2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:44
Evans sounds good imo too.
34 Kash2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:46
@WesToon: Only seen him play for the Mackems a couple of times really. I thought he was OK, but his pace didn’t really stand out!
35 Kash2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:47
I still feel that KK rates Cacapa highly, and expect to see Cacapa playing regularly next season at CB.
36 Leo // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:48
you have to remember his english may not be very good therefore what he said RE they are not nothing etc… will be because of broken english. glad we are takin him on trial it just shows he is willing to prove himself
37 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:50
Cacapa is our only defender that is very adept at reading the game, i rate him very highly, you dont earn what he has earned by being crap. If he adjusts to the physical side of the prem he will be an immense CB next season
J Evans would be another good signing, but how much would he cost? any more than 5million and i doubt we will go after him
38 ToonTimbo // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:51
I’m all for our youth policy but I do want to see some more 24,25,26 year old players to come in aswell just to show we are serious about this season!!
Can anyone tell me a comparasson to Kadar!! I’ve never seen him play but alot of you speak very highly of him!!
39 Yahya Ahmad // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:51
No! I accidently put Evra’s name down because I was thinking about Vidic Evra and thier partnership and they are both defenders!
40 Fernando // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:52
Another potential quality signing.
41 Andy // Jul 14, 2008 at 13:53
i just hope this bassong is a good player because enrique is awful!
42 Ever seen a mackem in Milan? // Jul 14, 2008 at 14:00
Enrique isnt awful some players need time to adapt and he is one of them. He was improving a lot towards the end of the season i can expect him to continue improving throughout the season.
43 Maestro // Jul 14, 2008 at 14:01
@ Kash2
I’ve seen Pasanen play many times for Finland, always as a RB. He’s good, and imo better at RB than CB. So, I’d prefer Evans.
44 oga // Jul 14, 2008 at 14:12
Enrique awful?
Did you watch the second half of the season?
Defensively he was impregnable. He had no cover in that formation and still rarely got beat.
45 WesToon // Jul 14, 2008 at 14:14
Agreed Maestro, But he could be brought in for cover for Beye,and if need be CB aswell,not a bad player at all,could do a lot worse than Pasanen!!
46 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 14:17
Enrique is class defensively and he proved it last season, no nonsense style. Offensively he has a lot to learn as he often wastes possession with a poor pass or a big punt up field, although this wase probably down to the lack of support he recieved. He will no doubt continue to improve and prove to be an immense signing. Despite Beye being the best performer last season, Enrique was my favourite signing.
47 Punk Skunk // Jul 14, 2008 at 14:24
There’s absolutely nowt wrong with Enrique…He’s gonna be well good, once he’s settled in properly…i.e. NOW!..
…He played some great stuff, once he got a run in the team!..
48 AndyT // Jul 14, 2008 at 14:59
I think we will see more this season from Enrique and possibly a little more from Beye, who admitted himself that adjusting to the physical demands of the premiership was very hard work. I think Cacapa will be better prepared as well, although I think he lacks the pace to start against most premiership atacking lines.
49 chuck // Jul 14, 2008 at 15:04
Whats important is the fact KK can take a good look at him while on trial.
And apparently though “Tom Toon”knows nothing about him (surprise surprise) the Everton and Villa scouts have checked him out.
Hey, both he and Guthrie could turn out to be astute signings, lets see.
50 Peter Perfect // Jul 14, 2008 at 15:10
I dont trust french central defenders whose surnames start with “B” and end with “song”.
Just saying , like!
51 Black and White Blood // Jul 14, 2008 at 15:14
I dont think we will sign him…. He’s French - OMG a rebranded Boumsong!
52 daiv // Jul 14, 2008 at 15:17
Kash 2
KK does not want to talk to the press because he probably has not got much positive to say and he nearly lost his job last time when Commissar Ashley hauled him in for talks about us not breaking into the top 4. I’m sure he’s underwhelmed as well by our top signings.
53 ObaFan2 // Jul 14, 2008 at 15:39
An ever positive view again!
54 Yahya Ahmad // Jul 14, 2008 at 15:52
French defenders are not that good! Their campaign in Euro was awful! Thats says it all!
55 Yahya Ahmad // Jul 14, 2008 at 15:54
Enrique’s mad! He is superb! Its only when he played badly in da beginning of the season! He just settled in thats why!
56 Punk Skunk // Jul 14, 2008 at 15:56
Yea, but france didn’t pick clichy or flamini in the euros…Their crap play was more to do with
don amechi (domanech) than the players tbh!..
…Just like they didn’t used to play cantona & ginola!..
57 Ross G // Jul 14, 2008 at 16:31
OK, Bassong played more as the season went on for Metz. He is a left footed centre back, but can also play at LB which he did on numerous occasions but is better at CB, where he plays for the U21s. He also is good on the ball, likes a pass and is also good in the air. A real athlete in appearence on the pitch, he also is very very fast which will help him alot in the Prem. One thing he is not is an organiser, he seems quite a quiet player but listens and plays his own game well e.g. More of a Vidic than a Ferdinand. He is worth a go especially.
58 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 16:34
agree with the Skunk of Punk, Domenech is what cost France yet again
59 Spyro // Jul 14, 2008 at 16:35
Ross G, that is EXACTLY what i wanted to hear
60 Punk Skunk // Jul 14, 2008 at 16:38
Ta for the appraisal Ross G!..
…Based on that, he sounds pretty good!..
61 Punk Skunk // Jul 14, 2008 at 16:40
Alright Spyro, have france sacked him yet then?..(domenech?)
62 meathead Mike // Jul 14, 2008 at 16:44
KK is being veru shrewd.
2008/09 season is just over a month away. Fantasy Premier League is up and running again.
http://fantasy.premierleague.com
League Code 116231-29485
Lets See Whose Fans are the best when it comes to football judgement.
63 Piers // Jul 14, 2008 at 17:47
A tryout can’t hurt. Let’s see what he’s got.
64 Danny G // Jul 14, 2008 at 18:19
He went to Clairefontaine…..He will be good!
FACT!
65 harrier // Jul 14, 2008 at 18:45
He was probably found by scouts and keegan wants a look before we sign so we invite him to train for a week
66 oga // Jul 14, 2008 at 19:06
Thanks for that summary Ross. Sounds like he could be a very useful and shrewd signing.
If Taylor gets his act together, and becomes the captain that the majority of Newcastle fans want, we could have a very good partnership in a few years.
67 BelgianSupporter // Jul 14, 2008 at 19:25
i go to a forum of metz fans. 95 % of fans think he is a bad player, not a level of Ligue 1 and a poor player. They hope, we take him…
68 Andy // Jul 14, 2008 at 20:16
yeh maybe but the premiership is a lot different and tbh they are probably jus sayin that coz they know he is leavin em so there probs jus pissed off
69 Andy // Jul 14, 2008 at 20:18
come on the toon !
70 Andy // Jul 14, 2008 at 20:20
kevin keegans black n white army!
71 normski1930z // Jul 14, 2008 at 20:52
the epl is of alot higher standard than the french league at the minute….
72 Jared // Jul 14, 2008 at 22:24
I know nothing about him in real life, but he is a great young player in FM2008 and becomes a great CB. Maybe Wise is getting all his scouting info from FM?
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