Newcastle are again being linked with the Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli, and although he stated he wanted to stay at Valencia, things have changed there – and the manager Mauricio Pellegrino has just been fired. Add to that the Spanish club are short of money and they could look to sell their Algerian winger in January.
Sofiane Feghouli – been at Valencia since 2010
Feghouli joined Valencia from Grenoble in 2010, and he is supposed to have a £20M buy-out clause in his contract, and there’s no way Newcastle will pay out that kind of money these days – unless they could get Lionel Messi for that amount. 😀
In reality the Algerian International could move for around half that figure – but that’s still a lot of money for a player who has played 13 times for the Spanish club this season with 6 goals.
And since joining Valencia in 2010 from Grenoble he has appeared 66 times with 12 goals for the Spanish club, and he was also on loan at Almeria for one season where he appeared 10 times with a couple of goals.
Valencia are in 12 place in La Liga after 14 games played this season, and that’s not where they want to be, Â after finishing in 3rd place last season.
Feghouli turns 23 on Boxing Day, and he’s versatile enough and can also play at full-back, and that’s good, but we have a hard job believing Newcastle would pay out anything like £10M for this lad.
What do you think?
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8 comments so far
Geordie in Africa
Dec 5, 2012 at 9:22 AM
Comment #1Analysis of the Wigan game.
I think that was a much-improved performance and credit where it is due to Mr. Pardew, who abandoned the hit-and-run of the last four games and allowed the players to keep possession and work the ball forward. There may have been plenty of mistakes and room for improvement, but a better system made the players look good. The previous system made them all look bad.
There was no moaning about injuries. Marveaux filled in well for Ben Arfa, and Anita replaced Cabaye quite efficiently. I do like Anita, and apart from being a bit lightweight, I think he has a very good touch, excellent vision and can play quality passes. Another year and he should be another Cabaye. As we were passing the ball more, Tiote looked less like a bull in a china shop, and Anita finally looked at home, always offering support and simple good play.
We scored three goals, one from each type – sustained attack, counter attack, and set piece (following quality possession which forced the opposition to make a mistake). We finally had a system of play which allowed us opportunities for each goal type, which had been missing in previous weeks. We could have had more, but this is always the case; the key was to create a system which provided us with opportunities. It was the first time for a while of using this agressive system, and there were plenty of moments when we looked to be losing it, but if we can keep to this then players will start to improve. They have been learning long ball for the last month and it is a bit much for them to switch in three days to a completely new way of playing.
The counter attack goal by Begirimana was pleasing, and only possible as we had four players ready when they made a mistake. In previous games we have never had more than two players in good positions when gaining possession. We could have had another couple of goals like this but again, a lack of counter-attack play in recent games showed, and with some training, these goals can return. Mourinho regularly uses a three-man counter attack and positions players so this can happen. Not having a counter-attack strategy in your game plan means that you are not going to score 1/3rd of the goals which you can score.
The sustained attacks were possible because we kept the ball and players moved around much better – the closer ones moved towards the ball to offer support and the further away ones opened out to create space and offer opportunities to switch play. Although the total possession stats were the same for both teams, our possession was far more effective and further up the field – they had one shot on target all game, and we had eight.
So, well done Mr. Pardew. I think our players are good enough for us to dominate games and keep possession, and if we do this, then we can move forward and start climbing the league. And we will then say no more on the last four games!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Dec 5, 2012 at 9:25 AM
Comment #2Ed….Is the Messi deal not still pending?
Awww man….that was the one thing keeping me going. Christmas is ruined!
RonVanDam
Dec 5, 2012 at 9:27 AM
Comment #3He’s another oberton
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Dec 5, 2012 at 9:30 AM
Comment #4Africa….Nice analysis. I don’t think it was all about formation tbh. The players pressed when they didn’t have the ball and showed great determination and spirit, something that has been lacking so far this season. Good to see them getting back to where we know they can be, just hoping it lasts.
Scottiedog
Dec 5, 2012 at 9:38 AM
Comment #5NO MORE WINGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If any deal should go through it should be for Adam Lalana
Dannyo
Dec 5, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Comment #6@Ibiza
We’re waiting for Messi to retire, then we can get him out of it again and not be squat to clubs or agents 😉
matt11_25
Dec 5, 2012 at 7:27 PM
Comment #7Why no more wingers??? Not our # 1 priority but we need to add quality and depth across the board.. we must sign the best players we can. If that pushes out someone else out well they should of been better.. don’t tell me Ur sold on obertan
puretoon
Dec 5, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Comment #8Obertan’s awful, Remember Marcellino and his finger? Obertan’s getting like that with his flipping toe! and I believe he’s the only player that Pards brought in himself without Carr’s knowledge, so that may say a lot for AP’s taste & experience……….. not good…