We got it wrong yesterday when we said that Newcastle would have to pay Ben Arfa’s wages through June 30th, because on 4th January Newcastle ended Ben Arfa’s contract by mutual agreement.
Longer term readers will know we put deliberate mistakes in just to keep our readers on their toes. 😀
Ben Arfa – in happier times at Newcastle
So basically Ben Arfa is a free agent now out of a job after FIFA somehow decided that by playing for the Newcastle U21 side once – he had played for Newcastle and could only play for two clubs in one season.
So the 18 month contract he signed earlier this year with Nice we suppose has been held up because Nice will not want to pay him if he cannot play for them until next season.
So it’s interesting if they will in fact pay him wages, or whether at the moment Ben Arfa is out of a job.
We’ll always remember some of the great goals Ben Arfa scored for us,
And the Frenchman had the abilities of a Lionel Messi – but without the application, temperament and  character that has made Messi into one of the world’s best players.
It’s really a case of wasted talent with Ben Arfa – but we still hope the 27 year-old can resurrect his career at Nice, either now or next season.
We wish him the very best.
For the record Ben Arfa played 86 times for Newcastel with 14 goals.
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139 comments so far
Average_Contents
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:40 AM
Comment #41It’s all his now isn’t it. The board, the merchandising, the car park and now the stadium. If it all goes tits up again which it probably will he can now sell the assets one by one even if the club got liquidated because they are in his name.
Of course if they do survive then he’s got them over a barrel so win win. I bet he’s hoping they go tits up. How much are stadiums worth nowadays? And merchandising? If they set up as another newco then he’d be able to sell it all back, get his original investment, the loans and any expenditure he’s incurred with a nice healthy profit to boot. End game.
stuart no9
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Comment #42Average—— does that mean he can now own 2 clubs ????
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:42 AM
Comment #43An interesting thing about Mbiwa; he did well for Montpellier and was called up to the National team. He seems to do alright at Roma and was rewarded with another call -up.
…chances are we just got this wrong like it has happened before. With AP gone maybe having Mbiwa back wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
Especially with a coach like Garde?
AncientC
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:43 AM
Comment #44I enjoy reading about this Ben Arfa pattern.
You will find that in the past, prior to joining Newcastle Ben Arfa chose which club he wanted to play for.
Lyon wanted to keep him, as did Marseille.
Strange that after 3+ years under Pardew he ends up on the trash heap.
I am firmly in the camp with others, that if Ben Arfa had played under a Keegan, Robson or as somebody else suggested a Martinez, then Ben Arfa would have been much more consistent… I am not sure what some people expect from an attacking flair player in a side that does not keep possession, and plays defensive football coupled with punts up the pitch.
Somebody else on this blog posted the below link before comparing Ben Arfa’s stats to Ginola & Robert – which don’t look too bad considering Ginola and Robert played in attacking sides with license to attack.
https://twitter.com/NUFC_Stats/status/494815561600495617/photo/1
A temperamental flair player needs the correct management and coaching….
What happened at Hull didn’t look good for him, but at that point I think he was past caring. Nobody can dispute he likely had attitude problems, but players these days are wealthy and many come with big egos… a good manager should be able deal with it.
Ben Arfa could not speak anymore highly of the fans… and yet we have some ‘fans’ calling him a c*** and aiming nasty remarks his way.
If you do not rate him as a player, fine, get over it. No need to get yourself upset.
Some of us enjoyed watching him destroy defenders and leaving them in his wake, even if he did make a mistake by taking on a 3rd man or not passing.
Average_Contents
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:45 AM
Comment #45Stuart
He effectively does anyway mate. Just not officially as he only owns 8.9% of the company but runs the boardroom, owns the merchandising, owns the carpark and another building within the confines of ibrox and will soon be the owner of their stadium. But he doesn’t own them. Wink wink.
stuart no9
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:49 AM
Comment #46Average —– when your driven by money and greed ‘ all morales or scruples or whatever you want to call it go out the window. Ashley would sell his his granny if he thought he get a good deal for her. It’s sick , but some people only live for one thing , Fat Cnut is one of them disgusting people
Markaccus
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:50 AM
Comment #47Ancient
he fell out with better managers than pardew. Blaming his arrogance all on pardew is short sighted. His attitude is pathetic, i for one feel betrayed by benny for wasting his talent. Pardew was not good enough to handle his ego, but there comes a point where even the stroppiest player has to give some ground, and benny never would, and never will imo. He needs professional help.
sparky55
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:52 AM
Comment #48no 9.
bit more passion…like it!
Average_Contents
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Comment #49Stuart
Totally agree.
Someone hypothetically mentioned the other day that if an old lady dropped her purse that the fat slug would be the first one over under the premise he would pick it up for her but then pocket it. Entirely plausible given how the cheap kunt operates. Was it you lol
Markaccus
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Comment #50And its interesting you pull people up on the nasty remarks for an unliked player, but its all ok for an unliked manager, who has exactly the same ego problems?? They are both egotists and those egos affect their abilities to play/manage. We are well rid of both. I was one of the last to give up on pardew, but he proved he could not change. Benny did the same. Both had plenty of chances and time.
Barton
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:56 AM
Comment #51We can chill,Ashley is defo leaving/selling up, the FCB jst got his grubby mits further in to Rangers this morning 🙂 .
Markaccus
Jan 15, 2015 at 10:57 AM
Comment #52Barton
i would love to think that was true. But i just cant see him fcuking off any time soon.
stuart no9
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Comment #53Markacuss — I wonder how many young lads that with a little bit of support and good coaching could be as good as any in the prem but for some reason are never seen again after the age of 16 . They are introduced to girls and alcohol . I’ve seen it at my local town boys club Talent dripping off them , lads who can do things with a ball that will put you in a trance , then for some reason – gone . The ones I have seen have all had one thing in common – parents break up – dad gone – mum tries her best -but dosnt get the respect she deserves . It’s sad but I wonder if bennie had those sort of problems growing up . Don’t know
Average_Contents
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:01 AM
Comment #54All this mike’s a great businessman bollox is exactly that. Bollox.
He’s a greedy fat bastard who’s bullied, grassed on, lied, cheated his way to the top and employs kids and families to make his cheap tat for a pittance and in vile conditions in various countries.
That’s not vision or building up a reputable company. That’s disgusting.
martoon
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:02 AM
Comment #55AncientC @44 – Are you seriously suggesting that Ben Arfa was past caring when he went to Hull? He agreed to go and it was a fresh start for him with a chance to impress. BUT within a couple of months he had blown it – of course it was Steve Bruce’s fault. Why can’t you accept although the lad is a fantastic talent he has a serious bad attitude which p*sses of his managers and fellow players.
AncientC
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:03 AM
Comment #56Markaccus – I can imagine Ben Arfa is difficult to manage, but I don’t think he is as bad as a Nile Ranger type.
Joey Barton was dumped by the club too, I would doubt anybody could question his work-rate.
Yes, other managers have had problems with Ben Arfa, but Pardew is the first to completely cut him from a squad.
The only pattern I can see is Pardew ditching players that do not admire his methods, or players criticising Pardew’s style, and moving on.
Average_Contents
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:05 AM
Comment #57Barton
Check out what I put up earlier regarding being liquidated and selling HIS new assets. I’d say he’d make more money that way than rangers staying in the first division as seems highly probable. Either way he’s covered himself the fat twat.
AncientC
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:05 AM
Comment #58martoon // Jan 15, 2015 at 11:02 AM
“AncientC @44 – Are you seriously suggesting that Ben Arfa was past caring when he went to Hull?”
Playing for Steve Bruce at a club like Hull? Yes, I am suggesting that. He was forced out of the club, are you suggesting he wanted to move to Hull over staying and fighting for a place at Newcastle?
stuart no9
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:06 AM
Comment #59Average — Na not me . I would beat the fat ba…rd to it .
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:10 AM
Comment #60http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2244730/nice-hopeful-hatem-ben-arfa-will-be-allowed-to-complete-transfer?
Barton
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:11 AM
Comment #61You honestly think FCB would liquidate Rangers assets ? tbh i dont think he would live to see it through,while we have allowed him to take the P out of this club and we fans (down to fact there no organisied group that the majority of fans can get behind,or that we jst sheep,depending on your view) there would be blood spilled by the Rangers fans,be it him,his store’s other of his assets,no way.jst no-way would THEY allow him to get away with it,unlike our zombie responce
Magpie Myles
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:13 AM
Comment #62http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/306606-mike-ashley-posts-intent-to-take-out-security-over-rangers-ibrox-stadium/
My understanding is that if Ashley want’s to control more than 10% of Rangers he needs to sell Newcastle. Either hes angling to do so sooner rather than later or he’s looking to steadily wait and see what happens to Rangers and decide by 2016.
If he wants to control the stadium surely he would then need to own more than 10% of Rangers to do so?
toonarmydownsouth
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:13 AM
Comment #63Jesper
Fully agree on HBA, we all have our opinions, but he’s no longer at the club, time to move on
Also on Mbiwa, fully fully agree, if there is any remote chance of cancelling that loan get him back!
Transfer Sage
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:15 AM
Comment #64ancient
The barton story is different, if you believe him. He says that himself, Nolan, Harper and Carroll were all wanted rid of as they were part of the player committee who urged the players not to agree to the clauses saying they would get no bonuses from cup performances, also why hughton went.
Just Barton’s word of course.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:15 AM
Comment #65Sparky,
I’ve made a note of it and will try it on the bus.
archaeomag
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:16 AM
Comment #66@MM
Same story North of the border
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-power-struggle-mike-ashley-4982429
Average_Contents
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:18 AM
Comment #67You misunderstand what I’m saying.
The assets are no longer THEIR assets. There his assets now. I mean if the newco rangers got liquidated like last time the assets are no longer part of the newco and are secured against fatty’s loans meaning there his.
cyprus
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:19 AM
Comment #68Martoon, you wrote:
‘The difference between HBA & Ginola is attitude. Where ever HBA has been it has ended in tears where as Ginola has always been liked and respected.’
Not exactly so. Not sure how old you are, but many a time Ginola got in trouble: e.g. was labeled a ‘criminal by Houllier, fat and lazy at Villa (hence he lifted his shirt to show the opposite, after scoring a good goal)
HBA is one of the best players NUFC have had. He was a thoroughbred, we (NOT me) wanted a donkey. Don’t know what went wrong. He just doesn’t seem a jerk or a troublemaker, like, say, Bellamy, Barton etc. I would’ve told AP to F off for playing… Obertan(!!) ahead of him. For months.
Man, AP won this argument (with fans)…
BoyDoneGood
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:20 AM
Comment #69Sir Bobby Robson would have got more out of Ben Arfa? Maybe, but you can’t rewrite basic personality. Kieron Dyer?
Collocini consultation to me could mean anything – you ask the club captain for the players’ views. But it’s horribly likely that the question was: “Is Carver going to inspire us to 38/9 before the final Saturday?”
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:21 AM
Comment #70tads…I think it will be interesting to see if Mbiwa won’t feature in Roma’s games in January will the club then call him back.
…it’s a fresh start for many players I think. It will be interesting to see what happens.
On Benny…I hope for him and everyone else that he gets eligible to play for Nice. It will be chapter close I think.
Average_Contents
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:24 AM
Comment #71He could just stand by and let them become no more and whatever’s in HIS name will be his and not part of the company that folded, in this case the newco rangers. He’s done it with other brands. Firetrap. Dunlop and probably many others.
AncientC
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:24 AM
Comment #72Transfer Sage – I will keep that in mind, but it would not explain why the club got transfer fees for Carroll and Nolan, whilst Barton was pushed out of the club. Although, as you say, it is Barton’s words.
We got a criminal amount of money for Carroll, and from what I recall, Nolan was sold because he wanted a longer contract than was put on the table.
Barton was dropped like a hot potato.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:24 AM
Comment #73There are some rumors in the paper today that Sheffield W is interested in taking Gutierrez on loan.
martoon
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:25 AM
Comment #74AncientC @58 – If he didn’t want to go to Hull then he always had the option of cancelling his contract (NUFC would have agreed) and going where he wanted. Hull was a chance to stay in the premiership but he blew it big time just lke he has done everywhere he has been – oh and at international level as well.
beermonkey
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:27 AM
Comment #75average
when they default on the loan he will own the stadium
he owns all the merchandising and rights to the club crest what else is there
he can step in when they go skint and start a new club if he wants to all for about the sum of a few mill
Magpie Myles
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:27 AM
Comment #76archaeomag
Looks to me like this is why we might have the hold up in appointing a manager/head coach. Maybe Ashley is waiting to control Rangers and then he might consider an offer. So thats why he might not sell Newcastle until he has Rangers in his pocket.
jesperfuglsang - capt'n awesome of the lemon crew
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:27 AM
Comment #77We should never had paid a dime for Barton in the first place. Citeh wanted rid of him for the exact same reason we gave him away!
…I don’t believe the story about power-struggle. Contract dispute I believe, but Barton for me was a different case.
hibbit
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:30 AM
Comment #78the SFA meeting is the key it depends on the time span they give if they rule he has to much power at rangers
Jeff from Benwell
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:34 AM
Comment #79Average_Contents AncientC —- like all of the old hardcore haters on here, allow their blind hatred to make them constantly draw the wrong conclusions ——- HBA was given twice as much time and 2nd chances by AP than any other manager who had him ——– Ashley gave Rangers an emergency softloan( what a nasty greedy man ) and the only reason he is hardening it up is his distrust of the clowns at the SFA who clearly have an agenda against Rangers
optimistic prime
Jan 15, 2015 at 11:37 AM
Comment #80Give Benny a one game contract just for Palace!
The fun the songs the look on Pardews face, priceless!