Scottish Mag 3 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Newcastle United could re-ignite their bid to lure Nicolas Anelka to St James's Park in the New Year as Graeme Souness attempts to put the final touches to a squad fit for a European challenge. The Journal understands that Newcastle's manager is hoping to add to his side's attacking options when the transfer window opens in January and he has not lost his interest in Anelka. The Magpies embarked on a long, but ultimately, unsuccessful chase of the French international in the summer when his Turkish club Fenerbahce refused to sell the volatile forward, even though he had intimated to Souness and other United officials that he wanted to return to the Premiership. Souness' irritation at missing out on one of his main transfer targets was quickly relieved with the £9.5m arrival of Spanish international forward Albert Luque and one of the most memorable transfer coups in the history of English football when Michael Owen snubbed a return to former club Liverpool to move to Tyneside. But, United's manager is still keen to strengthen his squad in vital areas, with Anelka back on his wanted list alongside Chelsea left-back Wayne Bridge. Newcastle still lack the required strength in depth up front to challenge the leading clubs at home and abroad, ensuring Anelka has remained an attractive target. Alan Shearer, who will retire at the end of the season, was supposed to be used sparingly this season, but Souness has had to rely on the 35-year-old more than he had envisaged because of a crippling injury list. And, with Owen also missing because of another niggling strain at Chelsea last weekend, Newcastle were forced to rely on Shola Ameobi as a lone striker, with only Michael Chopra providing cover on the bench. At 26, Anelka, who was recalled to the French squad for the first time in three years for their recent round of international friendlies, still has the best years of his career ahead of him, as well as the sort of blistering pace Souness feels is essential to the style of football he wants his sides to play. He also has the significant advantage of having previously played with Owen when on loan at Anfield from Paris-Saint Germain in 2002 and would be expected to line-up alongside the England international in a 4-4-2 formation with Luque on the left wing and either Nolberto Solano or Kieron Dyer on the right. Anelka has scored five goals in 13 league appearances for Fenerbahce this season, helping the Istanbul-based club to the top of the Turkish Super League. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether Fenerbahce are more receptive to the idea of losing their star striker in January than they were in the summer even if, privately, Anelka's advisors are suggesting the player still favours a move back to England. Having already spent £50m during his time as manager, Souness is also unlikely to have a large transfer kitty available and Fenerbahce will have to drastically reduce the £12-15m valuation they quoted United chairman Freddie Shepherd just over four months ago. Much is likely to depend on the Turkish outfit's Champions League fortunes. They are currently bottom of their qualifying group, but a win against AC Milan this evening would give them an excellent chance of qualifying for the knockout stage and rapidly reduce their need to cash in on Anelka. Should Anelka prove to be an unobtainable target, United may turn their attention to Turkish international Nihat Kahveci. The 25-year-old, who is an international team-mate of Emre, is out of contract at Real Sociedad at the end of he season and the Spanish club could be tempted to sell him in January rather than watch him leave for nothing in the summer. Meanwhile, Sven-Göran Eriksson is the latest admirer of Newcastle United's exciting defensive prospect Peter Ramage after the England coach made enquiries about the Academy graduate during the 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Shepherd said: "Sven asked me who young Ramage was and said that he thought he had had a very good first half. "Obviously, he has only played a handful of games for us, all out of position, but we are delighted with him and I told Sven this." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Proper player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 44935 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 If these stories are true, you really do have to wonder where all this money is coming from all of a sudden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Kelly 1245 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Nihat seems like a much more realistic target given that his contract is up at the end of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isegrim 9798 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 If these stories are true [...]. 59353[/snapback] It's just that journalists are not creative enough (i.e. too lazy) to make new stories up. So you get served the same stories again and again... I expect Anal Oliver to come up with Brett Emerton again very soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 If these stories are true [...]. 59353[/snapback] It's just that journalists are not creative enough (i.e. too lazy) to make new stories up. So you get served the same stories again and again... I expect Anal Oliver to come up with Brett Emerton again very soon. 59372[/snapback] Try not to mention journalist and Oliver in the same post. Ooops, look what you made me do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheInspiration 1 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Other news: www.skysports.com Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has revealed that young defender Peter Ramage has caught the eye of England coach Sven Goran Eriksson. Ramage has risen from obscurity to secure a regular starting berth for Newcastle and he has impressed with some mature displays. Eriksson took a first hand look at Ramage at the weekend and even though The Magpies were beaten by Chelsea, the England chief enquired about the young defender. "Sven asked me who young Ramage was and said that he thought he had had a very good first half," said Shepherd. "We felt that he did okay in the second half as well and the fact that his direct opponent Damien Duff scored was no reflection on him. "Obviously he has only played a handful of games for us, all out of position, but we are delighted with him and I told Sven this." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 21636 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 One thing I am convinced of is that Ramage is a centre-back, not a full-back. He can defend, but is next to useless going forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 I'm getting a weird sensation of deja vu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 One thing I am convinced of is that Ramage is a centre-back, not a full-back. He can defend, but is next to useless going forward. 59387[/snapback] Definite nose-bleed once he goes over the half-way line, might just lack that extra pace needed to play RB too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetleftpeg 0 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 One thing I am convinced of is that Ramage is a centre-back, not a full-back. He can defend, but is next to useless going forward. 59387[/snapback] It's like Aaron Hughes never left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shearergol 0 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 One thing I am convinced of is that Ramage is a centre-back, not a full-back. He can defend, but is next to useless going forward. 59387[/snapback] He's a left winger mate. Robert's replacement no less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusoda Kid 1 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Be a bit late for a Europena push by then, Anelka or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smooth Operator 10 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Be a bit late for a Europena push by then, Anelka or not. 59438[/snapback] Is this a new competition I'm not aware of? Is it something similar to the Anglo-Italian Cup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 21636 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 Be a bit late for a Europena push by then, Anelka or not. 59438[/snapback] Is this a new competition I'm not aware of? Is it something similar to the Anglo-Italian Cup? 59457[/snapback] It sounds like some porn competition to me but then I'm a pervert. If it is we should walk it mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 7034 Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 de la europena, he was meant to be coming to us every year for about 6 seasons if you listened to the chronicle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted November 23, 2005 Share Posted November 23, 2005 de la europena, he was meant to be coming to us every year for about 6 seasons if you listened to the chronicle 59466[/snapback] Ivan de le Europena Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now