Mo Diame was ordinary when he first arrived at Newcastle, and by his own admission, he did not have a good first season at Newcastle in the Championship after he was signed for his release clause of £4.5M from Hull City.
Mo had a so-so start to last season too, but then towards the end of last year Rafa played him alongside Jonjo Shelvey as the holding midfielder, and he started to play really well.
That coincided with Newcastle starting to get some wins under our belt after we went nine league games with only one point over the last two months of the year.
At the end of the season, Mo had turned out to be a revelation because of his consistent performances in midfield for Newcastle.
The 31-year-old like the rest of the Newcastle players is trying to get up to speed for our first league game of the season at home to Spurs a week on Saturday and is currently in Braga with the rest of the squad.
31-year-old Mo Diame – in action former club Hull earlier this month
We play SC Braga on Wednesday night with a 7:30 pm kickoff.
This is what Diame has told the Chronicle today:
“We have a big start to the season and it will be similar to the Porto game.” “If we can try to keep the ball, in the same manner, we will be OK.”
“The result at FC Porto was not important.” “I think we played the game well and FC Porto were a good similarity to Tottenham so it was a good game for us to get ready for that first game.”
“We defended quite a lot and we will probably do that against Tottenham too.” “It’s good to see the team fighting even though it is a friendly game.”
“We know we have to play around 45 minutes of 60 minutes each game now.” “I am happy with that because I need more minutes and want to be ready for Tottenham.”
“Everyone knows that this team is the same team we had in the Championship.” “In the meantime, we are together and all the players spend time with each other.”
“After three years we know that we are all fighting for the cause.”
Mo’s three-year contract runs out next summer, and it remains to be seen if Rafa will give him an extension.
That will depend on how well he plays next season – but if it’s like earlier this year, we would expect him to still be a Newcastle player at the start of next season.
Mo has turned out to be another savvy acquisition by Rafa Benitez.
Comments welcome.
7 comments so far
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jul 30, 2018 at 3:03 PM
Comment #1I would say the chances of him getting a new deal with us are slim to be honest probably do one more season with us and then will be learning all about China !
Veltman
Jul 30, 2018 at 3:04 PM
Comment #2Belfast – I’m talking about Jesper.
Veltman
Jul 30, 2018 at 3:08 PM
Comment #3More chance of the big beard guy coming back and send them to the mud.
lochinvar
Jul 30, 2018 at 3:12 PM
Comment #4Diame deserves a contract extension.
Despite a slow start last year he was immense possibly after the fitness and diet coaches stepped in to boost his performance levels.
He was a key player in the second half of the season and certainly helped us get to 10th and in fact with some better results from the team against the likes of Everton and the forwards scoring a few more goals we could have been up to 8th.
Certainly worth another years contact, maybe two if that’s how it works allowing some playing time in the NFL or China if and when they come calling.
Tosun A. Wobbler
Jul 30, 2018 at 3:12 PM
Comment #5I have nothing to add to the wise reams and volumes that have been written before on…….
Whether MA really wants to sell the club
Where the money has gone
Whether Rondon is worth it
Whether Rafa will stay or go
Where Tsunki is……
because I simply have no idea what the conclusive answer is on these matters.
However, what I am absolutely certain about is that Donald O’Connor was a better dancer than both Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire.
I’m just saying is all.
The next Mike Williamson
Jul 30, 2018 at 3:24 PM
Comment #6I llike the new home kit, looks especially good with the white shorts. Probably our best home kit in ages.
toonluvva
Jul 30, 2018 at 4:24 PM
Comment #7I think that if Mo has a good season he will get at least a 1 year extension to his contract.
After all the alternative is for Mr Ashley to splash the cash on a replacement!