During his press conference this morning, Marseille manager Andre Villas-Boas ruled out a move for free agent and former Magpie Hatem Ben Arfa.
There were rumblings in the press that Ben Arfa would make a sensational return to Marseille as cover for former Newcastle player Florian Thauvin. Florian is out until at least January after undergoing surgery for an ankle problem he has been suffering from since last April.
? Medical Announcement: @FlorianThauvin and the Club have agreed for the player to undergo an operation in the coming days. He will undergo a period of unavailability until the winter break. pic.twitter.com/EGea61pV1J
— Olympique Marseille (@OM_English) September 11, 2019
Hatem Ben Arfa famously left the French club in 2010 to try and force a move to Newcastle. He was ultimately successful as he joined initially on loan before sealing a permanent transfer in 2011.
This is what Villas-Boas said when asked about making a move for the 32-year-old Frenchman:
“We are not going to move for Hatem Ben Arfa, nor, I think, for any player whatsoever. That means that we will stay like this. It has nothing to do with the quality of the player, it is just a decision that we are taking. My squad has been the same since June, that is the reality for this season.”
Hatem Ben Arfa remains without a club after failing to accept offers this summer. He had been approached by Fiorentina and Fenerbahce but was unable to come agree on an offer.
45 comments so far
Australian Pie
Sep 13, 2019 at 5:43 PM
Comment #1Having worked in medical team in professional football, inc some of our former mags, I can for certain say that Bruce can’t be blamed for injuries thus far…. While injured the Physio will set the directives of how much or little a player can do.
I’m not saying he won’t be bad for injuries in the future but for now he is fine
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 13, 2019 at 5:45 PM
Comment #2A real tragedy this. There are many a professional player that would love to have even a tenth of his ability, and yet they have carved out better careers for themselves through sheer determination, will and endeavour.
Many a debate/discussion/argument with people on here – often Cyprus – was had on the merits of HBA. He could, and should have been one of the best of his generation, instead, when he hasn’t taken his opportunities, ans showed a lack of character to make the most of his incredible natural talent.
Munster Mag
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:01 PM
Comment #3And bruce was blamed here in the past for treating him like crap at Hull, the lazy sod. Some guys have a serious agenda here. Hey I here bruce is having a drink tonight. Before a match? Bloody alco I say. Sack him !!!!!
Munster Mag
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:04 PM
Comment #4Lil I think I remember mags fan (that’s us toon22) singing ” we’ve got more fans than u, Liverpool, liverpool” when we were 4-0 down in the 80s on TV. I was so proud . Best fans ever!
Jail for Ashley
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:07 PM
Comment #5Munster,
That’s a load of rubbish, the way he acted at Hull finally opened up people’s eyes to his attitude, and you’ve got the bloody nerve to accuse me of twisting things.
toon22
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:10 PM
Comment #6Munster
Some guys have a serious agenda ?
Hahahahaha
Really ?
3 years knocking Rafa ?
toon22
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:11 PM
Comment #7Munster
Did the Villa fans hoy a cabbage at him for his love of veg ?
toon22
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:12 PM
Comment #8Munster
Says he loves the toon
Says he hates Jabba
Spends his time defending him
Bambams
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:12 PM
Comment #9I have found tomorrows match will be on NBC sports over here, 7.30am though and we are not due to get back until 2.30am after doing Universal Horror nights with the family.
I am not expecting much to be honest, I wish I could be more optimistic.
Bruce just does not give me confidence moving forward.
IrishRob
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:14 PM
Comment #10Australian pie…. We’re still talking about the subject I brought up hours ago I see. But Bruce is the guy in charge or getting in a competent physio/medical staff/coaches. Surely if somone is not doing their job or simply isn’t knowledgeable enough it’s up to Bruce to sort it out.
Munster Mag
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:17 PM
Comment #11The full position, pro and con, re rafa is outlined under the miggy thread. Suggest u go and read it frog.
toon22
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:18 PM
Comment #12Had loads of injuries
Drops to almost none while Rafa was here
They return once he’s gone
It’s not much of a debate
Munster Mag
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:20 PM
Comment #13Jail I love your faux outrage. The amount of spin and lies you have used on here, u shud apply for a job with kba lmfao. Come on gimme more outrage 🙂
Munster Mag
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:24 PM
Comment #14Rob buck stops with bruce for sure but I think its too early for a full picture on the issue. St max looks like a cock up but Lobby? Ritchie? I wont be slow giving out yards in a month though if we see lots of soft tissue injuries in training. I just dont think we are at that stage yet.
Munster Mag
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:27 PM
Comment #15Frog bit more detailed analysis needed than that. I wont be slow to slag off SB if its fair in my opinion. Not sure where u are going re Ashley?
IrishRob
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:30 PM
Comment #16Toon22 for once I agree with you, but it seems lots of people cant see it. But make no mistake, the injuries arent freak accidents and they are most definitely Bruce’s fault.
Munster Mag
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:32 PM
Comment #17Jail pardew was murdered here for his unfair treatment of hba. We soon found out why he was exasperated with him. Pardew deserved plenty of grief. Problem with this blog is that if the manager is loved all is ok, but if he is hated he’s pilloried for everything and anything no matter how relevant.
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:32 PM
Comment #18Jail/Munster
There were still some defending Hatem and saying that it was cause Pards and Bruce were old school managers. I think his failure at Hull definitely dampened the support on here mind. Was it Man U where he covered less ground than the Hull keeper?
Looking forward to tomorrow. Anither good away day, hopefully we improve on last year, but I’m not hopeful. Still, I said that before I went to the Spurs game, so hopefully they prove me wrong again!
Munster Mag
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:33 PM
Comment #19Rob which injuries are directly attributable to the red faced one?
Jail for Ashley
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:35 PM
Comment #20No faux outrage at all Munster, I’m just calling out your bollorx, rather than people blaming Brewce for HBA people finally realised that the guy was a waste of time, why you’ve decided to say the contrary only you know.
Lilongwe Geordie
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:37 PM
Comment #21Rob,
Who are you blaming Bruce for on the injury front? You can’t account for Ritchie, if Lobby wqs as Bruce says, that isn’t attributable, Yedlin got injured under Rafa, Gayle is likely dragging it out, Carroll arrived injured, Lejeune injured before he arrived.
Just St Max, because he played him too soon?
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:44 PM
Comment #22“My squad has been the same since June, that is the reality for this season”
The party line is straight and true
#BoycottAshley #ashleyout
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:49 PM
Comment #23Hamstrings are tricky, waiting a extra week or two is worth the wait.
I wouldn’t blame Bruce or Maximim, players and managers will always make that mistake.
Both would’ve had honest intentions.
Me being a dick, I wouldn’t have played him, however I wasn’t in that situation, must be hard when a player says he’s ready.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing but you only get it after the fact.
IrishRob
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:50 PM
Comment #24There is more than 3 of them got injured under bruce too. And literally every player we had injured was expected to be back within the last few weeks. But every one of them had their dates pushed back over and over, things arent being done right and its slowing their recovery also,whether bruce was here for their injuries is irrelevant. Its plainly obvious that their recoveries are set back.
toon22
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:58 PM
Comment #25It wasn’t just Rafa that left
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 13, 2019 at 7:03 PM
Comment #26Those medical balls are a b^gger to swallow.
JohnJ
Sep 13, 2019 at 7:03 PM
Comment #27Regarding Hatem Ben Arfa
One of the most talented players I’ve ever seen! 10 out of 10
Sadly his attitude and commitment was rubbish 2 out of 10
A tragedy that he could not or would not be managed to his full potential – absolute tragedy!
Jail for Ashley
Sep 13, 2019 at 7:04 PM
Comment #28EGB,
Steve Bruce looks like he’s swallowed two 😀
Jail for Ashley
Sep 13, 2019 at 7:06 PM
Comment #29JohnJ,
A real shame, I guess some people’s characters can’t be changed no matter how much advice or help they’re given. Nile Ranger anyone!
Jail for Ashley
Sep 13, 2019 at 7:12 PM
Comment #30Lilongwe,
Did he come on early as a sub that game and then get hauled off at half time.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 13, 2019 at 7:14 PM
Comment #31No, he started and got hauled off on 35 minutes.
toon22
Sep 13, 2019 at 7:17 PM
Comment #32Well
Jabba has got 5 days to appoint an auditor or its uncharted waters
Lets see what happens
Jail for Ashley
Sep 13, 2019 at 7:18 PM
Comment #33Hopefully Jail.
toon22
Sep 13, 2019 at 7:44 PM
Comment #34At the very least
Leaving it till 5 days to go looks canny bad even if he did get one
Id say he wont and his latest ” interview” is more bluster and BS from a guy who is out of his depth
Personally i think he has been buying all the shops as he knew it was a car crash and wants to make himself ” to big to fail”
Lets see
Bobbybee
Sep 13, 2019 at 8:01 PM
Comment #35Munster, I was there that night. I was in the main stand, of which we had half as well as the Annfield Road End. That was the night Keegan knew his playing career was over.
Got a bit tasty outside as well. Why they thought 12-15k Geordies would run away from them I have no idea. Got beat 4-0 but were expecting to come second anyway. Great turnout. Great atmosphere. Great effort but sadly, completely outclassed.
boss hoggs atm
Sep 13, 2019 at 8:07 PM
Comment #36at the end of season, all the people (the so called supporters who feed our illustrious owner with his daily bread & giving us Bruce a chance, with all be eating their words) that’s why things will never change
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 13, 2019 at 8:19 PM
Comment #37Jail
An odd question for you but do any of the riggers fish off the rigs, I’d imagine it may be against company policy but I’d bet there’s some prime fishing off them.
Bobbybee
Sep 13, 2019 at 8:20 PM
Comment #38Business owners are so well protected by law, even when somebody dies through negligence, they seldom go to jail. Ashley would have to murder somebody before he gets jailed. He’ll get a whopping fine at best. The law is an ass. How many people went to jail for Hillsborough or Bradford? Gross negligence, especially with hindsight,
I worked on a building site and the same company I worked for had a terrible accident on another site. Turns out the scaffolders were all casual labour and somebody was killed when part of it collapsed. Do you get more negligent or penny pinching? £10k fine.
Business protects business. Always has, always will.
Essex Geordie Bill
Sep 13, 2019 at 8:22 PM
Comment #39To big to fail, blimey, I’d have thought the bigger the business is, the harder the fall.
Bobbybee
Sep 13, 2019 at 8:24 PM
Comment #40EGB, what, like the banks? 🙂