Former Newcastle winger and French International Hatem Ben Arfa will play for Nice next season, and that has been confirmed by Nice President Jean-Pierre Riviere in a press conference while introducing their new manager Claude Puel.
Hatem Ben Arfa – while at Newcastle
The 28-year old had his contract canceled by Newcastle in January, after playing for the Newcastle U21 side and on loan at Hull City last season, but the move was not allowed to go through as both FIFA and French Football Federation blocked the move.
The move was not allowed because of a rule that a player can only for two clubs in a single season, but playing for the Newcastle U21 side was the controversy, because he never played for the Newcastle first team – it seemed an odd decision at best, but Nice lost their appeal on the ruling.
Nice President Jean-Pierre Riviere in a press conference said the following yesterday:
“Hatem Ben Arfa gave us his word. He has had offers but he’s stuck to his agreements.”
Other clubs were said to be interested in signing the very skillful forward.
Hatem Ben Arfa joined Newcastle on loan in August of 2010 from Marseilles, after he had fallen out with then manager Didier Deschamps, and was signed by Alan Pardew in January of the following year on a four and a half year deal.
The 13 times capped French International played well during his first three years at Newcastle, after suffering a horrific double fracture of his left lower leg at Manchester City, in early October of 2010.
But Ben Arfa never realized his full potential on Tyneside, when he was often compared to Lionel Messi as far as his talent was concerned.
But the player wasn’t disciplined, and had a reputation for not getting along with his managers.
However in early 2012, the Frenchman scored two of the greatest individual goals ever seen in the 123 year history of St. James Park.
Against Blackburn Rovers and then against Bolton, each time he took the ball from within his own half and beat several opposing players before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Ben Arfa was blessed with amazing skill which was enormous – but will never reach his full potential.
That’s the big pity.
Comments welcome.
13 comments so far
Reyantoon
May 28, 2015 at 7:45 AM
Comment #1Laudrup,as far as I know,hasn’t worked in a youth setup system.Does not have history of developing youngsters. And we need someone that has track record of developing youngsters.So I don’t think he is the right choice.
My strongest preference and suitable for a club like Newcastle is Chris’r Galtier.
However, examining our working policies
that they want someone who can work,understand and communicate with Carr and will say OK to Charnley, Galtier wish may not happen.So as far as I can tell,it will be McLaren 90%.unless ofcourse we get surprised by untested Mr Charn!
ToonFromLeeds
May 28, 2015 at 7:54 AM
Comment #2Reyantoon if Newcastle are looking for another “yes” man like Pardew or Carver we are up s**t creek without a paddle
Average_Contents
May 28, 2015 at 7:59 AM
Comment #3Love this little guy
http://mobile.newsnow.co.uk/A/775288843?-11058:809
Go toon gooooo
May 28, 2015 at 8:02 AM
Comment #4HBA.Simply,real football virtuoso.With him,Remy,Cabaye and Obertan we were extraordinary club but Pardew was poorest manager.Championship quality.Destroyed the team.
Lilongwe Geordie
May 28, 2015 at 8:08 AM
Comment #5Hope it works out for him. He needs it to, this will be his last crack at making it work. Would be a real waste of talent if his career continues in the same vein.
LGF,
Yeah, I mentioned Matty Phillips a while back. Not glamorous enough for many on here I’d imagine, but a quick and physical wide man with a very good delivery and good feet. He is definitely one that I would take from the relegated sides.
Phillips, Austin, Ings, Trippier and Robertson would be the plays that would interest me from the trio that went down. None would break the bank, and we are a realistic destination in terms of club size and stature that would allow playing time for them all rather than them joining one of the big sides and not playing regularly.
YouCouldn'tMakeItUp
May 28, 2015 at 8:10 AM
Comment #6Looks like today might be a throwback to the old HBA love-ins of last year.
The bloke had skills, but mostly could not be arsed to use them. It has been proven from his attitude before and after nufc that he is a pain in the neck, and Pardew was just another manager who couldn’t change him. The stroppy git only has himself to blame.
ToonFromLeeds
May 28, 2015 at 8:10 AM
Comment #7Ayoze ever the professional.
https://nufcdigest.wordpress.com/2015/05/28/season-was-beyond-my-expectations-says-newcastle-star-ayoze-perez/
ToonFromLeeds
May 28, 2015 at 8:13 AM
Comment #8Lilongwe I agree with you especially Trippier he is an awesome talent
Lilongwe Geordie
May 28, 2015 at 8:13 AM
Comment #9On Sissoko, I’m not surprised he is saying he is happy to stay no. His agent has probably told him that after spending the last 6 months hawking him about, there isn’t a single bit of interest from any club bigger than Newcastle.
Laurent Robert 32
May 28, 2015 at 8:16 AM
Comment #10Jonas has an alleged rant at Carver for coaching sessions being crap, like other players did too. Hatem speaks up to Pardew about it and he’s the anti-Christ…
Long live Hatem, and creative, skillful football. Best skills I’ve seen at the club in years.
ToonFromLeeds
May 28, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Comment #11Well no wonder we was getting tupped every week if the training sessions were crap
Mag52
May 28, 2015 at 8:29 AM
Comment #12Why should we be looking to buy more British than foreign players ? For the simple reason that they are not so likely to be seeing NUFC simply as a shop window for a future move on to a bigger premiership club and a higher salary.
A strong core of British players, the likes of Nolan, Lampard, Milner, Cahill, Terry, with a few foreigners to provide the guile and flair would battle hard when the going got tough, a quality missing in those teams containing an over abundance of foreign mercenaries. ( There’ll always be the exceptions and Jonas is one).
Clearly those players mentioned are all, for one reason or another, out of the question, but Colback and Dummett are a start.
The Great Valerio
May 28, 2015 at 11:19 AM
Comment #13Potential is something that cannot be measured, which means you will never know one way or the other.