tinofbeans 91 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Deco could put Newcastle on a highway to heaven Few footballers do beauty like Deco does, which is why fans on Tyneside should be so excited by reports linking him with a move. Paul DoyleJuly 11, 2007 10:46 AM Don't worry about tomorrow Take it today Forget about the cheque We'll get hell to pay (From AC/DC's "Have a drink on me") AC/DC screecher Brian Johnson failed in his attempt to buy into his beloved Newcastle United several years ago, but you'd be forgiven for thinking Freddy Shepherd and co regularly staggered into the transfer market humming his hedonistic hymns. The club's extravagant and impulsive purchases of over-the-hill, injury-prone or too-bonkers-to-last stars has been reckless and repetitive; at times it's even been entertaining, though recently it's been more crock 'n' cringe than rock 'n' roll. Under the new owner Mike Ashley, Sam Allardyce hasn't exactly signalled his intent to steer a more prudent course than his predecessors: Mark Viduka and Joey Barton are slick players but they carry baggage that even John Smeaton might think twice about handling. The difference, however, is that Big Sam can be counted on to coax the best out of spikey gems. Which is why we must hope that the far-fetched rumours linking Newcastle to Deco turn out to be true. Reports in Spain reckon Barcelona want rid of Deco, who has fallen foul of Frank Rijkaard. Papers in Italy claim both Milan and Inter are on his track. But some in England would have us believe Newcastle is the Portuguese maestro's destination of choice - which leads you to suspect the Magpies have bewitched him with wonga and, therefore, that Deco's arrival would be as cynical and inglorious as those of fortune hunters such as Albert Luque, Michael Owen and Patrick Kluivert. But it wouldn't. It would be brilliant. At least sporadically, which given Deco's supreme skills, would for once be sufficient. He may, at nearly 30, be five years older than a certain celebrated Colombian was when he arrived at St James's Park in 1996, but Deco would be Tino Asprilla times 10. Sure, Deco does ugly things like dive and bitch, but he also does beauty like few other footballers can. His touch is a miracle cure for claustrophobia, making tiny spaces appear ample; his passing a panacea for predictability; and his shooting a lethal injection. He invents new possibilities in an instant, slays opponents in a second. And for all his art, Deco's no fancy dan. He has steely substance. His strength on the ball recalls Maradona and Zidane and he, rather than Ronaldinho, has usually been the driving force of Barça over the last two years, as he was for Champions League-winning Porto before that and as he remains for his adopted Portugal. Rafa Benítez recognised this when neglecting Ronaldinho to instead man-mark Deco in the Nou Camp last season; that wasn't merely a case of cutting off the supply to the Brazilian, it was an acknowledgement that the Portuguese not only initiates moves but can conclude them too. And despite that backhanded accolade Deco scored once and was only denied a second by a post (though Liverpool, of course, won the match). Though he at times lapsed into laziness last season, probably because of unhappiness with the Barça regime, he's a ferocious competitor (as he memorably proved in last year's World Cup bout against Holland) and a naturally enthusiastic worker. Indeed, in his early days in Brazil, Corinthians had to order him to backtrack less so that he could conserve energy for more creative pursuits. And in the unlikely event that Newcastle fans need any more convincing that he's a rare pearl, then consider the clincher: back in 1999 Benfica, after first farming him out on loan, sold him to arch-rivals Porto because their then-manager reckoned he wasn't much cop. The sagacious judge responsible for that howler? One Graeme Souness. Neither the fog on the Tyne nor the lure of mid-table would bring Deco to Newcastle. He'd be coming strictly for lucre. But he wouldn't be able to retire his competitive spirit entirely; Big Sam would ensure that for a good two or three years he'd give value for that money. Actually, make that for a great two or three years. Whomever gets Deco will be on a highway to short-term heaven. from guardian unlimited football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geordieshandy 0 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 And in the unlikely event that Newcastle fans need any more convincing that he's a rare pearl, then consider the clincher: back in 1999 Benfica, after first farming him out on loan, sold him to arch-rivals Porto because their then-manager reckoned he wasn't much cop. The sagacious judge responsible for that howler? One Graeme Souness. I do like this bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew 4711 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Please let this happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgentFox 0 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 This is indeed would be a superb signing, but is it out of our reach I dont think so come on the toon, searching some of the Barcelona forums to see what they make of it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazarus 0 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 the Magpies have bewitched him with wonga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 21756 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 not going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishMag 0 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Where has this whole thing come from anyway, NOTW? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 21756 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Where has this whole thing come from anyway, NOTW? that and nufc.com saying there could be truth in it. we might have had a bid accepted with barca but unless we've offered him silly money, why is he going to pick us when he could move to pretty much any club on the continent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Patrokles Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Might as well write 'why Newcastle fans should be excited by the hypothetical signing of Kaka or C. Ronaldo.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shearergol 0 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Might as well write 'why Newcastle fans should be excited by the hypothetical signing of Kaka or C. Ronaldo.' Everyone apart from MattM4 would be happy about signing Ronaldo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geordie Boyo 24 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 (edited) He's having his medical tomorrow. Duscher, that is. Edited July 12, 2007 by Geordie Boyo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14011 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 source? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore Toon 0 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 He's having his medical tomorrow. Deco, that is. Don't do that to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geordie Boyo 24 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 My source is quite similar to that of the chap from skunkers in that he has been spot on with his claims before speculation spread. He also says, like the chap from skunkers, we are close to signing Wayne Bridge. I was told this tonight, and like you lot I'm sitting on the fence, but as I say, he's been pretty much 100% reliable on his claims up to now. Let's just see what happens. Either way, I ain't said out! twas him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14011 Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Bastard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 91 Posted July 11, 2007 Author Share Posted July 11, 2007 my source was the guardian unlimited football site. i'm unsure we'd get him, but would be a great player for us if we did.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 21756 Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 He's having his medical tomorrow. Deco, that is. leighton baines mark II? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Patrokles Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 He's having his medical tomorrow. Deco, that is. leighton baines mark II? Nah, Baines never posted ITK stuff here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geordie Boyo 24 Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 He could have very easily meant Duscher. Duscher, Deco, Duscher, Deco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gejon 2 Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 He could have very easily meant Duscher. Duscher, Deco, Duscher, Deco Could he have meant someone else other than Duscher or Deco? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geordie Boyo 24 Posted July 14, 2007 Share Posted July 14, 2007 Duschco. You heard it here first! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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