Alan Pardew must bring in another center-back in January.
Yohan Benalouane in green – in action against Juventus
That’s if Newcastle are to avoid the embarrassment that happened last month when Steven Taylor, Coloccini and Williamson were all out injured, and we had no recognized center-backs to come into the first team at Norwich – and lost 4-2.
Of course whoever comes in will have to be a good deal and affordable, and one player said to be under consideration is Yohan Benalouane, a 24-year-old who plays center-back for Cesena in the Italian Serie A league.
The news is that a Newcastle scout was in the stands to watch the Tunisian in a Coppa Italia tie at Napoli in midweek, according to a report in the French daily, L’Equipe.
Cesena eventually lost that game 2-1, after having taken the lead in the first half.
The 24 year-old 6’1″ French-born Tunisian joined Saint Etienne back in 2006, and he played about 62 times for the French club before he moved to Cesena in 2010.
Benalouane was included in the Tunisian squad for the first time back in August of 2010, in a game against Chad in an African Cup of Nations qualifying game.
But he missed the game because he failed to get one of the required vaccinations before he could travel to Chad, and it turns out he did not join the squad in Chad, and he has never played for Tunisia.
He played once for the French U21 side, but we have to wonder how good this lad is if he is not a regular player for Tunisia?
It would be difficult to think this player could make it at Newcastle, from the information we have.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
166 comments so far
American Toon 13
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:33 PM
Comment #41off topic but I found it amusing that almost all of the english/continental born players (except for ben arfa, simpson, and ameobi) were wearing long sleeves and some had gloves but the two south americans wore short sleeves in the cold northeast
Jail for Ashley
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:35 PM
Comment #42Tds
five to ten a season to you mean a decade
boater
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:38 PM
Comment #43Shola wasn’t great and that leaden touch of his when through on goal at the end will have the Shola bashers jizzing over their keyboards no doubt. But we are getting the results with him in the team again- his hold up work up front helps us mount attacks and gives us presence in the opposition half. Not everyone sees that- and hey it’s fun crucifying a player on here eh. I’d still love to see a better striker or two come in and push him down the pecking order, but in the meantime, he’s doing a decent team job.
Beattie25
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:39 PM
Comment #44Diego Contento
Wor Shearer
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:40 PM
Comment #45Very impressed how comfortable everybody looked on the ball today, particularly the centre pair (Guthrie and Raylor) after Cabeye went off.
Santon looks like another gem!
Ameobi has got to be taken out of the starting line up…not enough speed or stamina, can still be a killer sub with his strength and size
GeordieToon89
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:47 PM
Comment #46Hope weve got someone watching the Marseille vrs Lille match some cracking players playing
GeordieToon89
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:49 PM
Comment #47Also, Lindsey Lohan in Herbie Wowwww
GeordieToon89
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:51 PM
Comment #48Btw someone mentioned about Gyfl Sigurdsson earlier on, Hes such a talented player a wanted us to sign him when he left Reading
ITUNDERASHELL
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:52 PM
Comment #49How good is this lad Remi Street, it could obviously have an impact on the player we want in CB position.
hotdog
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:52 PM
Comment #50Cracking Result!! Watched the game and couldnt tell wether it was bad knocks up front or Ameobi being static. When the camera moved forward Ameobi was gesturing where the ball should of been, so he will say the service i guess lol . If u were at the match which was it?
Jail for Ashley
Jan 15, 2012 at 7:54 PM
Comment #51Boater
I’m not going to be labelled a Shola basher as I like the lad and know that he’s scored some important goals over the years,but I paid me money today and I think that gives me the right to say that if I put a shift in like that on a building site I’d be told to pack me tools up and f*C* off home after about an hour.
Birts
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:04 PM
Comment #52what do we reckon marseille or lille then
GeordieGerman
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:04 PM
Comment #534 point to safety. Then we can concentrate on the Champions League. 🙂 🙂
GeordieGerman
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:06 PM
Comment #54I mean getting into.
Beattie25
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:07 PM
Comment #55JFA
You speak the truth
Amen brother
hotdog
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:07 PM
Comment #56#53 You can still get 66-1 for the toon to get top 4. Defo worth a couple of quid 🙂
Rocknstrolla
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:14 PM
Comment #57I would be very interested to know how much useful ground Shola actually covers in matches. I honestly reckon I cover more ground than him in my workplace, and I spend most of my time at my desk!
Dannyo
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:16 PM
Comment #58@GG
Hehe, while we’re on a high, Hazard played today unfortunatly 😛
GeordieToon89
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:20 PM
Comment #59Apparently Redknapp is in the stands watching Remy
GeordieToon89
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:28 PM
Comment #60Dont want to read too much into this but im hoping this Berba deal doesnt have a knock on effect resulting in Man u Sh*t wanting Ba
Beattie25
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:29 PM
Comment #61Is anyone watching the Lille game?
The number 26 for Lille looks decent, I can’t understand the French commentary but I think he is a brazillian called Joecole.
Toon Tang
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:32 PM
Comment #62i wonder how much a slag costs off thailovelinks.com on the ad banner. might give it a go as a new year treat for the missus. spice things up a bit
Beattie25
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:33 PM
Comment #63I reckon Man Ure will go in for Bent or use the funds for a midfielder.
Beattie25
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:34 PM
Comment #64@ Toon tang
Youre lucky. Ive got bumsforhire.com
GeordieToon89
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Comment #65Toon Tang – Been thinking that myself mate haha
Beattie – A doubt they’d want Bent reckon a midfielder could be on the cards but thal only get about 5mil for Berba
GeordieGerman
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:38 PM
Comment #66Toon Tang, Be careful. It could really cheer your missus up. Not all those Thai woman are woman.
GeordieToon89
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Comment #67couple little handbags in the milan derby at the end of first half
GeordieToon89
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:43 PM
Comment #68GG – Lmao!
Btw ive decieded i would actually like to see Ravel Morrison given a chance here and a really think he would play a massive part for us, got so so so much serious talent and can play in numerous positions
Beattie25
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:46 PM
Comment #69@ geordietoon
I agree and if we get him and play him it will indicate to other young players (as I am sure it already does) that Newcastle are a team that will give you a chance thus making us a more attractive club in the long run.
Beattie25
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:51 PM
Comment #70According to new reports in the French press we have been discussing the transfer of Aly Cissokho for weeks but the sticking point is the transfer fee.
Toon Tang
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:55 PM
Comment #71hahaha my sentiments exactly. a little too much spice maybe, zoosk.com might be a safer option.
Dannyo
Jan 15, 2012 at 8:55 PM
Comment #72@Beattie
IF it’s true, it’s makes sense that we’d haggle for a few weeks over the fee… And then some.
Beattie25
Jan 15, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Comment #73It makes sense to me too. The thing is Newccastle aren’t discussing their transfer targets but the clubs of the players we do target might talk.
Lyon may be letting this info slip in order to alert other teams and therefore drive up the price?!
hrocks
Jan 15, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Comment #74@Beattie
does it say we have spoken to player about wages or just the club?
are they in financial difficulty and need to sell?
eaststandgeordie1982
Jan 15, 2012 at 9:00 PM
Comment #75just seen bests goal great footwork damn the cold weather when drinkin at the match only good thing in the game and i was pissin i thought i was unlucky to miss it but the bloke next to me dropped his glove in the pi55er lol
glad we can now win ugly last year we would of lost
Dannyo
Jan 15, 2012 at 9:01 PM
Comment #76Most hillarious rumour of the day:
Porto president fears that #Chelsea may eventually meet Hulk’s £83.5million buyout clause. #CFC
m1c4a3lg
Jan 15, 2012 at 9:04 PM
Comment #77Any idea if ba nd tiote will be back for Tottenham even if ivory coast and Senegal reach final? Not sure of final date?
Beattie25
Jan 15, 2012 at 9:04 PM
Comment #78Just the club. It quotes the clubs solicitor:
http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=IE8Activity&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sport.fr%2Ffootball%2Fligue-1-lyon-cissokho-encore-bien-loin-de-newcastle-247639.shtm
hotdog
Jan 15, 2012 at 9:08 PM
Comment #79#75 Was an ugly win but it was upto QPR to get the goal and with SWP picking the ball up off the edge of his own box we cruised it. Mark Hughes brand of football you can stick it!
GeordieToon89
Jan 15, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Comment #80That article says were willing to pay 9million Euros but Lyon want 12million