It was really interesting to hear Rafa Benitez talk last night during the BBC Radio Newcastle call-in show with Mick Lowe about Moussa Sissoko – and Rafa genuinely seems to like the big Frenchman.
Rafa said that he liked Moussa as a footballer and also as a person and said he had talked with both Moussa and his agent and told them what the deal was with Newcastle.
Basically if Newcastle get what the club is asking for him – said to be a cool £35M – he will be allowed to leave the club this summer, but otherwise we would not sell and he would have to stay.
Rafa Benitez and Moussa Sissoko
This is how Rafa has backed up those words today in his press conference for the Fulham game tomorrow night:
“Moussa is training well and we don’t have any official offers on the table, a lot of speculation from agents and media but nothing on the table officially,”
“If he goes, hopefully it will be the right price for us — but if he stays I will be delighted.”
It seems a little amazing, but if clubs are turned away by the high transfer fee placed on the Frenchman’s head it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that he will not be sold and Moussa could stay at Newcastle past August.
On the other hand ….. there’s always Liverpool.
🙂
If he stays it’s unlikely he would want to leave in January – assuming we do as well as we hope to in the league – and who know Moussa may be getting his wish to play for a big club who plays in the Champions League in the near future.
Without even making a move.
That’s the less likely scenario of course, but still possible.
So it’s really a win-win for Newcastle, whichever way it goes. whether Moussa stays or Moussa goes.
If he does stay we will have to get Rafa to tell him to stop making those stupid comments to the French press every time he’s called away on International duty.
And of course he will not be the captain, with Jamaal Lascelles deservedly being made made captain today at the very young age of 22.
But this lad has huge leadership ability and tremendous passion for the club.
With Moussa, most Newcastle fans probably want him to leave before the month is out, given all the statements he’s made since the Euro 2016 Championships.
Certainly if we get £35M for him that’s an excellent deal and if stays he could help Newcastle tear up the Championship.
Comments welcome.
154 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:24 PM
Comment #41lesh,
It will be very interesting to see how his relationship with the fans pans out if he stays.
RolandoOverhead
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:24 PM
Comment #42beautifulmind
Colback has ability but has a major flaw.
He tackles with his hands instead of his feet, which gifts the opposition free-kicks quite often in dangerous areas.
welshgeordie9
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:25 PM
Comment #43lesh
Surly I’ve got more than one fan on here.
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:27 PM
Comment #44Looking at the players Rafa has brought in I don’t think he will be looking to play a cautious game. He know we need to win game to get promotion, as do the players, regardless of the team he puts out tomorrow the only thing on their minds will be getting of to a flyer and winning the game.
Our players may be under pressure more so in a league where we are the team to beat, but I think they will handle that well.
2-0 to the Toon Gayle & Perez.
HWTL
jimmysmith
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:28 PM
Comment #45Sissoko has been a go to player in poor Newcastle sides. I would expect vastly improved goals and assists in a good one. Robert, Ginola, Solano, and Rob Lee did enjoy that luxury.
welshgeordie9
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:29 PM
Comment #46Wouldn’t be at all surprised if sissoko stays, if a team like Real Madrid is not interested then there’s no hope for him.
beautifulmind
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:30 PM
Comment #47I hear you Lesh. Lets get behind all the players and encourage them to give their all for the cause
welshgeordie9
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:30 PM
Comment #48Sissoko under Rafa in the championship is a no brainer.
lesh
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:32 PM
Comment #49Jail
Yes, Sissoko’s got a lot of bridge building to do and I think that Rafa is trying to help him do that. But, will Sissoko respond if he stays? I think he will otherwise he’ll realise he’ll be dropped and his dreams of ‘beautiful’ clubs’ll be nothing more than wishful thinking. His agent has a crucial role to play in that and I suspect that Rafa’s made that point to him – that he has damaged and will further damage Moussa’s career if he continues to fill his head with ideas that will result in nice little earners for him, his agent.
GeordieTwo
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:32 PM
Comment #50Very nice bettys mate. Fish dancing is not to be confused with Semi-Frozen Kipper Fonging though. Just keep that in mind mate… Harrumph…..
GeordieTwo
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:33 PM
Comment #51I hope so jimmysmith mate. If he stays that is, which I doubt. I think we’ll all be watching closely and having high expectations…..
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:34 PM
Comment #52Welshie
How is it a no brainer marra?
If Sissoko keeps making the same mistakes when making his runs, poor passing and keeping the ball when he should be passing etc, then it doesn’t matter what league we are in.
If he stays he will have to up his game quite a lot and play like he did in his last two games for France.
lesh
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:35 PM
Comment #53Ah, good evening welshieboyo.
Of course you have more than one fan on here. My alter-ego loves your wit too.
You’re a legend…..
beautifulmind
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:35 PM
Comment #54That’s really nit picking Rolando on Colback. A lot of players in Colbacks position do this. The amount of pressure the team was constantly under in premiership giving freekicks away was inevitable. I think colback will look better where we are more dominant in games.
welshgeordie9
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:37 PM
Comment #55lesh
Please will you stop, you will have me in tears.
Ha ha ha
bettyswallocks
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:37 PM
Comment #56Welshie……….. I’m also a fan.
RolandoOverhead
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:38 PM
Comment #57If he really wants a move before the window closes, all Sissoko has to do is continue the form he showed for France, add a couple of goals in the first few matches and the calls will come, he knows it, his agent knows it and Rafa knows it.
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:40 PM
Comment #58Rolando
Maybe that’s why he hasn’t travelled for the Fulham game, Rafa is keeping him off the pitch til the window closes. 😀
welshgeordie9
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:40 PM
Comment #59firebug
Of course it’s a no brainer, working under Benitez rather than mcclaren or Pardew, he will cut out all the mistakes and get his confidence back, Christ messi and Ronaldo would be rubbish under those two managers.
GeordieTwo
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:42 PM
Comment #60I don’t understand welshie’s jokes so I can’t comment. It’s something about the accent I believe……
welshgeordie9
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:43 PM
Comment #61Wow I’ve got two fans, looking at the names on here with the predictions that martoon setup I’ve got a long way to go yet, no where’s my mate jail.
Ha ha ha
bettyswallocks
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:44 PM
Comment #62Welshie……. Do you think Coleman will go to Hull?
welshgeordie9
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:45 PM
Comment #63GeordieTwo
Perhaps you don’t understand English.
Ha ha ha
jimmysmith
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:46 PM
Comment #64Well it took 25 million to get Widjnaldum, which was quite remarkable considering his away form. 35 million for Sissoko is a similarly high fee. It wouldn’t surprise if it wasn’t met, and he had to stay. And it wouldn’t surprise were Rafa to bring him round, same with Tiote.
Getting Newcastle back up quite an honourable project for these two to be a part of it must be said. Whether that appeals to players when they are focussed on moving on is perhaps unlikely, but when it looks like they may have to stay, that surely would help grease the wheels.
But still it is probably more likely one or both will go I suppose.
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:47 PM
Comment #65Welshie
That is a big maybe mate, maybe he will play better under Rafa, with Sissoko who knows. Under Rafa at the end of last season he was given the captains armband, That was he perfect opportunity to show Rafa what he could do, and show all those CL clubs his leadership qualities…….He failed miserably marra.
It’s a long way back to the top mate and Sissoko has a lot of hard work coming his way if he wants to make it…That’s if he stays with us like.
No brainer?
welshgeordie9
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:50 PM
Comment #66bettyswallocks
I hope not, not being funny but why the frig would he want to go there, Bruce have gone, who’s done a fantastic Job and we just signed their best player, they have got a lot of work to do.
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:55 PM
Comment #67From The Shields Gazette
Rafa Benitez feels his Newcastle United side is prepared for the Championship – as they’ve got the knowledge.
The club kicks off its campaign in English football’s second tier with a fixture against Fulham at Craven Cottage tonight.
Newcastle have signed eight players this summer, many with Championship experience.
And United manager Benitez feels his new-look team, which now has a British core with experience of the division, is ready for the rigours of a gruelling 46-game season.
“We knew the Championship is so difficult,” said Benitez.
“We needed players with experience of the Championship and of English football, so they knew about the physicality, the importance of every contact. It was important to get players with knowledge of this side of the game.”
Newcastle’s ultimate goal is promotion back to the Premier League.
But Benitez – who is still looking for United to sign “two or three” players before the transfer window closes at the end of the month – is refusing to look beyond the Fulham game.
“The aim is to just beat Fulham – and that is it,” said Benitez, who yesterday allowed Florian Thauvin to rejoin Olympique Marseille on loan.
“You will listen to this all season – it is one game at a time. It’s the only way.
“(From) my experience of winning titles, you have to keep going. Sometimes we will make mistakes and we will lose games, but you have to be strong enough to keep going.
“You cannot lose your confidence after one bad result or be over the moon after one good result. It’s about getting the right balance.”
Benitez – who has not included new signings Mohamed Diame and Ciaran Clark in his squad – is looking to sign a striker.
Aston Villa yesterday signed Ross McCormack from Fulham, who was linked with United earlier in ths summer.
Asked about McCormack’s £12million move, Benitez said: “I don’t like to talk about the players of other teams.
“We have been analysing the market and it has changed a little bit. At the beginning, we were trying to do things and it was maybe a little easier. We had our ideas and our targets.
“Then the Premier League clubs have their money and everybody is waiting to see because they have more money and they are able to offer Premier League football.
“Now everything is more settled down, but you have less options.
“The prices for the best players are higher. Everybody is asking for so much money.
“We have done our business really well at the beginning, we have done very well recently and now we are monitoring the market but it’s difficult because there are less players and the ones that are available cost more money.”
Asked if he would consider taking players on loan from top-flight clubs, he added: “Yes, we are looking at it. We are looking at everything.”
Meanwhile, Benitez has revealed the story behind the decision to hand summer signing Dwight Gayle the No 9 jersey ahead of Aleksandar Mitrovic.
“We were going to organise a finishing competition for the No 9,” he said. “In the end, Mitro was telling him to take the No 9.
“If they both score both will be important. The atmosphere is good, it’s good for them to both want it but after talking with them it was easy. “They understand the main thing is to score goals and be on the pitch.”
bettyswallocks
Aug 4, 2016 at 10:56 PM
Comment #68Welsh……. Apparently he wants to manage in the PL. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes, there aren’t many PL clubs looking for a manager.
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:01 PM
Comment #69Rafa Benitez on Kevin Keegan’s ‘amazing’ Newcastle legacy – and how he hopes to emulate it
Rafa Benitez insists Newcastle United are at the “start” of a journey – but admits he hopes his Magpies can emulate the success of Kevin Keegan’s ‘Entertainers’.
Former United forward Keegan took charge of the Magpies for the first time in 1992 and, after saving Newcastle from relegation to the third tier in his first season, led the club to promotion the year after.
Under Keegan, Newcastle were then dramatically pipped to the Premier League title but enjoyed Champions League football as the ex-England manager totally revolutionised the club from top to bottom.
Benitez is undertaking a similar job at St James’ Park now and, though he is keen to stress that he is still very much in the embryonic stages of his rebuild mission, he is looking to Keegan for inspiration.
“He did an amazing job here – we have to do that now,” Benitez said of Keegan.
“But Kevin did it, we have not done it yet.
“We are at the start.
“When Real Madrid played against Hamburg during my playing days the Madrid centre-half was marking him [Keegan] and he never touched the ball.
“I know Kevin and all about what he did here.
“My first game in England was against Kevin and Man City and we beat them 2-1.
“I know him as a player and as a manager he was great here.”
Benitez surprisingly committed to Newcastle this summer despite relegation, so is the former Real Madrid and Liverpool boss only like to remain in situ on Tyneside if the ultimate objective of promotion is delivered?
“Yes, I want promotion this year,” he explained.
“I know that gives us a lot of pressure but we have a good team.
“The main thing is we have good players and we will improve.
“If we are better than the others now that is easier, but if not we will get better and keep working hard.
“The most important thing is where we are at the end.
“No team is promoted in January.”
manxpie
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:05 PM
Comment #70have none of you seen the sisko pic on twitter?
and if you still want him to stay ya mental as that face is exactly wat we dont need this season!
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:06 PM
Comment #71Both those interviews give an insight into what Rafa is thinking, if his plans work then it’s all smiles and upwards. This team is defiantly not the entertainers, but that does not mean they will not be entertaining to watch.
HWTL
JamesToon
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:07 PM
Comment #72Abel Hernandez apparently has a £12mil euros release clause, should snap him up got 20 goals in 39 games last season, proven goalscorer and would add more pace. Didn’t he say a few years back that he dreamt of playing for either Newcastle or Real Madrid?
JamesToon
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:08 PM
Comment #73Rafa says he’s also looking at the loan market, any suggestions? Victor Moses, Luis Alberto?
Toon Tang
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:14 PM
Comment #74Martoon, its time for you to do me like one of your french girls..
My predictions are as follows –
Points: 89
Position: 2
MVP: Lascelles
TGS: Gayle
TGS Goals: 18
Lge Cup: 4th round
FA Cup: 5th round
Took me all summer break to thrash them badboys out I tell thee.
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:18 PM
Comment #75Likely to be piffle but!…
Galatasaray are nearing a deal with Newcastle United full-back Daryl Janmaat according to Turkish football journalist Gokmen Ozdemir.
Ozdemir – who has close ties to Galatasaray – revealed that the Lions are currently targeting two full-backs in Mathieu Debuchy and Janmaat.
Galatasaray want to replace full-back Sabri and Linnes over the transfer window as head coach Jan Riekerink has been unimpressed with the state of the defence.
The Lions conceded five goals last Saturday against Manchester United despite leading 2-1 at half-time and the Dutch coach has made it clear to the board the squad needs defensive reinforcements.
Janmaat still has another four-years remaining on his current contract but he may consider a move considering the Magpies were relegated to the Championship last season.
Ketsbaia9
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:18 PM
Comment #76Colback is useless. People who think he’s decent needs their heads testing. He isn’t good enough. He’s the worst midfielder at the club. Abeid was much better.
chicousa
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:21 PM
Comment #77I think this idea of selling Sissoko to Real Madrid for cash plus a couple players has merit! But the players should be going the other way! If they gave us £25 mil and also took Rivière and Birgi or Gouffy then THAT might work!!! 🙂
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:21 PM
Comment #78Kets
Time for your medication lad.
firebug666
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:22 PM
Comment #79chicousa
That’s a bit harsh mate….
What has Real Madrid done to you?
chicousa
Aug 4, 2016 at 11:27 PM
Comment #80firebug666
True that would be cruel to Real Madrid, but it is Rafa that might want to get back at them a bit in this “proposed deal”!