How many times have Newcastle been faced with a player who has not met his high expectations at the club, and then Newcastle cannot unload the player, because of both his high wages and high transfer price.
Fabricio Coloccini – disappointing season at Newcastle
Many, many times and that is now true with 23 year-old Spanish striker Xisco, and true also with another player who was disappointing last season – Argentine Fabricio Coloccini.
But with Fabriocio costing a cool £10 from Deportivo last August, it will be difficult to recoup much of that money right now, and even at £7M, the Argentine will be a tough sell.
But this is what Newcastle will need to do with a number of their players in the summer.
It’s easy with the free agents (at least something is easy this summer) – because Owen, Viduka and Cacapa have contracts that run out at the end of this month and their wages will be off ther wage bill come July – whew!
That will will a savings on the three of them of around £230K each week (£12M over a year)- so that’s a decent start. Viduka and Cacapa hardly played last year for the first team, and Owen was a disappointement again.
Is it only us who thinks Own should have said something before he left Newcastle? After all he was our captain, he just seems to have left with no parting words to the fans, or anything for that matter. And now he’s in the news trying to get a deal with Everton.
Atletico Madrid and Sevilla have been linked with the 27-year-old Coloccini, who wasn’t terrible for us last season, he had some good games, but he didn’t look like a £10M defender – let’s put it that way. Not good in the air, too slow on the gorund and poor positional play are the words on Coloccini – and apart form that he’s great!
But it’s just another terrible deal we made with Deportivo La Coruna, and memories of Albert Luque come flooding back., We paid £9.5M for him, on the same day we signed Michael Owen, gave him a ridiculous wage – by his own admission – and took a bath on him when he was sold 18 months ago.
Sevilla’s Sporting Director Ramon Rodriguez Monchi has admitted they are unlikely to make a move for Coloccini, and Argentine club San Lorenzo (they have little money) having been scared off by his price tag and probable wage demands already, Newcastle may have to see if they can arrange a loan deal for next season – to at least get him off the wage bill.
There is a possibility of a loan deal with Fiorentina, but Newcastle will also want to have them include the option of making the deal permanent at the end of next season, with a fee agreed up front.
Colocini’s agent, Marcelo Lombilla, confirmed the defender wants to quit English football, saying:
“We are looking at possible opportunities for him – all of them in Europe.”
We knew he wanted to leave Newcastle, because as soon as the final whistle blew against Aston Villa he was down the tunnel into the dressing room and on the phone with his agent – “get me out of here.”
Some commitment to Newcastle United and it epitomizes the attitude of a lot of our squad last season – and that’s one reason we were relegated.
37 comments so far
Toon Graeme
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Comment #1Thing is about Colloccini – it was upto him to prove himself and quite frankly he became a liability to our back.
Im sure there will be pro and against that but thats the way I saw it.
High earner – no product – get rid!
Stardust
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:05 PM
Comment #2Here we go again – writing off a player far too early.
We simply get what we deserve.
Rangerman
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Comment #3Good luck to him and fair play for thinking of his career rather than staying to milk the club dry.
He started off well but with him not wanting to mix it up with the physical strikers that the poorer clubs in the league have he was always going to be singled out by opposition managers.
Ericles
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Comment #4Agree with you all the way Coloccini – on your bike you time waster. I also agree with what Ed says about Owen’s attitude. I think Owen is so wrapped up in himself that one eye ball is peering out of his arse!
WELSHMAG
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Comment #5Thanks Dennis wise, Collocini, jonas, xisco all worked out at over £20m, what we could have bought with £20m last season? enough to keep us up for sure! I blame the midget more than I blame Ashley.
Toon Graeme
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:10 PM
Comment #6Stardust –
I think if we stayed up he would still stay here and be able to settle in more with the way the prem is played.
Relegation has taken this option away and due to his wages he will most likely have been targeted as high earner to get off the pay role.
I think if regardless of if he wanted to stay that would probably be sold or loaned as it suggests anyway.
Dennis Twice
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Comment #7Martinez –> Wigan
Bruce —-> scumderland
Magpies — takeover!!! ….Notts County
Toon –> “i want icecream…Ashley..”
hitman
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Comment #8http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2009/06/04/time-is-starting-to-run-out-on-sell-out-72703-23788918/2/
Dennis Twice
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Comment #9BRUCE MAKES IT WITH BLACK CAT!!!
Geordiedoonsooth
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:14 PM
Comment #10Good ridance to bad rubbish
Geordiedoonsooth
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Comment #11I hope cauliflower face takes the sh*te doon
NotAGhostToon
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Comment #12I genuinly thought he played well the very last day of the season, looked composed and showed improvement, however I just don’t think his head and heart are with newcastle so hopefully we can get rid and offer that money to bassong!
Macas35
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Comment #13Stardust – He played the majority of games this season, and it was evident in all of them that Coloccini has little pace and is poor in the air, and prone to the odd mistake as well. Is he magically going to get faster and become dominant in the air? He is just not well suited to our league and due to his high wages we need to get shot of him anyway.
Rangerman
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Comment #14Thanks Dennis wise, Collocini, jonas, xisco all worked out at over £20m, what we could have bought with £20m last season? enough to keep us up for sure! I blame the midget more than I blame Ashley.
……….
The problem with this opinion is that it’s all hindsight, when Coloccini and Jonas first signed everyone was happy with them and they both did really well at the start of the season.
The problem we had is that as the season went on everyone was rubbish, even the golden boy Bassong managed to get himself sent off twice by being caught out of position.
i would say whoever we spent £20 million on would have gone through the same poor patch that the likes of Jonas has and we would be screaming for their heads too.
The problem for us as Newcastle fans is while we are writing off every player as not being good enough the likes of Jonas, Coloccini, Martins etc will be off playing European football next season while we are traveling to Blackpool.
Geordie-Gerrard7
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Comment #15collocini- fine example of south american defending.
graeme- i can tell you, its from my cousins partner, just having a chat with him a minute ago as he is also my accountant, and he said couple of the lads were doing something for david williamson, and he said about roeder, this was last week, last monday when he got told, and they were told, there should be shearer announced as manager between friday and tues this and next week, i can also tell you that shearer came in as permanent manager as he always knew that ashley was selling, and that joe kinnear will not be fit enough to ever come back to management
I HOPE TO GOD ITS TRUE, BUT HEARING IT HAS JUST MADE ME MORE ANXIOUS
Ericles
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Comment #16I am thinking about Fat Freddy hanging around in the limelight these days. I would never be surprised if he is not fronting a consortium that is local. Just biding their time for the price fat Ashley will accept to drop. Of course I could be wildly and completely wrong. Regardless of who owns the club the future progress of NUFC depends heavily on Alan Shearer as our Angel of the North!
Nobby
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Comment #17I didn’t think he did too bad… Well, ‘cept for the last couple of games. Well, the whole squad was already playing with no heart..
I remember one mistake our “Player of the Season” had against the game against Fulham. Bassong thought Kamara (was it?) was offside, so he stopped chasing him to raise his hand, leaving Steve Harper all on his own. Bam. 1-0.
But if Colo wants to leave, go ahead. No point keeping someone who doesn’t wanna play with us.
I know this one’s a bit off-topic, but where does the scouting staff find managers? I mean, speaking of Fulham, look at them… Laughing stock two seasons ago and now playing UEFA Cup next season.
That’s how we should’ve been… Or I guess that’s how we could be. 🙂
Toon Graeme
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Comment #18Geordie G – I posted on the previous thread.
Lets hope your right – anxious doesnt come close and watching the start of the transfer season it makes me feel worse.
My problem is trust has gone with the powers that be in NUFC and that adds to it.
NO news is good news – lets hope some news is better news.
jonny
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Comment #19he signed for a cool £10 did he! id say thats pretty good business myself!
Widowmaker
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Comment #20I thought Colo was just about to be okay considering it was his first season in the EPL and our poor squad in general.
Nonetheless, if his attitude was that bad, there’s nothing we could do but get rid. We could just loan him to clubs in Spain or Italy and hopefully his price will go up slightly…
Ericles
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Comment #21According to Sky Sports News Enrique is wanted by Atletico Madrid for about 4.3 million quid. He did say he wanted to stay. He also said he would be obliged to consider offers. Well, if it is true, he will not turn it down will he?
Rangerman
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:50 PM
Comment #22He would be mad if he did.
Champions League with them or Championship football with us.
Widowmaker
Jun 4, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Comment #23Who could blame Enrique if he does accept? He is a fighter and he deserves better than Championship footy.
THE MAGPIE
Jun 4, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Comment #24Good move for Enrique-no problem if he went.
Colo was ok, the biggest problem was he didnt speak English, therefore he couldnt/didnt lead the back four.
Nevertheless blame the person who valued him at 10m, if it had been 5m-no problem.
To get rid of Faye for 2m and then spend 10m on a player less suited to the Premiership.!
Rangerman
Jun 4, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Comment #25Didn’t Faye leave because he fell out with Keegan?
Whumpie
Jun 4, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Comment #26I think it’s wrong to have a go at Colo. He wasn’t great, but we shouldn’t be surprised at that – it’s the gamble you take with players from hispanic leagues, where it’s a different type of football.
Look at Enrique. He took ages, but he adapted, albeit taking most of the season to do so. Who is to say that Colo wouldn’t given a bit more time.
Having said that, I also don’t blame him for wanting out. It’s not like he’s a life-long Tooner.
For me he does represent exactly the sort of player we should be selling as quickly as possible, but for financial reasons, not anything to do with his attitude.
Macas35
Jun 4, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Comment #27Rangerman – Not sure if he fell out with N’Zogbia or Keegan or he just wasn’t happy living in the area. Big loss for us though.
Sav
Jun 4, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Comment #28Bramble a star at Wigan – mooted England call-up, Rozenhal won Coppa D’Italia with Lazio, Onweyu won second consecutive Belgian title…. I’m not saying Colo is a world beater, but until we get two fit full-backs and a decent midfield with legs and a threat, I don’t see how we can fairly assess any centre-half.
I have no doubt Bassong is a quality player and he stands out for us, but the rest were sent packing only to prosper elsewhere.
Macas35
Jun 4, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Comment #29Bramble was a clown and Onweyu is playing in a poor league and never looked good enough here. Rozenhal looked half decent on the ball but his defending was a bit suspect. And as for Bramble we can’t say we didn’t give him a chance, all the managers he played under soon realised he was a calamity. As Glenn Roeder so perfectly summed it up – ‘You can’t put in what God left out’
Whumpie
Jun 4, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Comment #30I think it’s a matter of ‘fit’. Bramble could always put in a world-class ‘reducer’ tackle, but he was a liability in our back line. Obviously he fits in much better with the others he plays with at Wigan. Good luck to him; he’s a nice lad.
He is the exception, though – the others all went to do well in other leagues, which proves little.
bill
Jun 4, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Comment #31Must agree with SAV to some extent. If a back four is left to it’s own devices without any cover from midfield it will always look suspect.
Vidic looked terrible at ManU for the first few months, as did Evra but look at them now. ManU went on a 13 game spell this season without conceding a goal and that was mainly due to the midfield not allowing the other team any space or time to do anything with the ball when they had it.
Until Newcastle get a team that works together and closes down from the front to the back then they will always look poor defensively. The problem at the moment is that they cannot create chances either. It is a nightmare scenario.
Every time I see them concede a goal there is oceans of space in midfield. I think the main problem is that they rely on getting too many players into forward positions to create anything because they do not have any clever players.
Sav
Jun 4, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Comment #32A centrehalf with natural pace like Bass will probably fare better with reduced cover than one who is not so blessed. Doesn’t mean the others are no use altogether.
That’s all I’m saying – We always seem to be in a hurry to slap the roof on before the walls are properly up at Newcastle.
HarryWorth
Jun 4, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Comment #33“If a back four is left to it’s own devices without any cover from midfield it will always look suspect.”
True, but until we get a goalkeeper who commands the penalty area, our defenders will always flatter to deceive.
Given was a great shot stopper but does not command the box, Harper is similar.
Look at Schwarzer of Fulham. their defence is now well organised with him in goal whereas his old club the smoggys had a good defence when he was in goal and now look at the state of their defence without him.
Heres hoping that either Krul or Forster step up to the job in hand and get the defence organised when they get picked for the first team, if not lets hope we sign a big domineering goalie..
chuck
Jun 4, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Comment #34HARRY WORTH
You simply don`t know what you are talking about, repeating others criticism of Given, the best goalie this team has had since Ronnie Simpson.
Huh ! Ronnie who ?
Natureboy95
Jun 4, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Comment #35colo would not last 5 mins in the championship imo, seemed to shy away from the rough stuff when faced with a couple of physical strikers. i thought he looked composed on the ball tho and showed some nice touches at times, may have improved in his second year once he’s settled in.
chuck
Jun 4, 2009 at 8:02 PM
Comment #36It`s not as if the guy was a disaster, had some decent games, however the PL does`nt seem to suit certain players and he never looked comfortable here.
Was he worth 10m, not really, am i sorry to see him go, nope, hope the club can recover some of the dosh spent on him, buena suerte amigo.
Doocey
Jun 4, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Comment #37Wouldn’t like to see Enrique leave 🙁