Kezman: I almost joined Toon

[Scottish Mag 3]

Fenerbahce hitman Mateja Kezman heads for Tyneside this week backing Newcastle to qualify from their UEFA Cup "Group of Death".

 

And the Serb striker will arrive at St James's Park reflecting on how he might have made it in the Premiership had he joined the Magpies rather than Chelsea in 2004.

 

Kezman is rebuilding his career in Turkey after seeing his move from PSV Eindhoven to Chelsea turn sour and faring little better in Spain with Atletico Madrid.

 

But there was a time during his latter days in Holland when he thought Newcastle was his destination.

 

"It's true that I might have joined them," says the 27-year-old.

 

"I know that Sir Bobby Robson wanted me and talks between all the parties involved were positive.

 

"But in the end, it wasn't possible for the clubs to agree a fee. Then, because things change quickly in the world of football, I suddenly found myself off to Chelsea.

 

"Would I have done better at Newcastle than I did at Chelsea? I don't know.

 

"What I do know is that I have a special incentive returning to England because I feel I owe it to myself to show what I can do there.

 

"I didn't have the total backing of the coach during my stay at Chelsea and it was impossible to demonstrate my true quality."

 

Kezman is otherwise settled at Fenerbahce, who he boasts are the most technically gifted team in Turkey under the management of Brazilian legend Zico, and has high hopes of a lengthy UEFA Cup run.

 

"Although Newcastle are not as strong as they were, they are always tough opponents in their own stadium, so the match will not be easy," he adds.

 

"But Fenerbache want to go as far as possible in the competition, so we want at least a point at Newcastle and, with luck, a victory.

 

"This UEFA Cup group is tremendously hard. Celta Vigo, Palermo, Newcastle and Eintracht Frankfurt are clubs worthy of the Champions League.

 

"But I expect Newcastle, us and one other to go through."

[MattM4 0]

Really glad he didn't end up here. The headless chicken par excellence.

[Ally 0]

Never seen him play since he left Chelsea, but he was quality at PSV and to be fair didn't exactly get much of a fair chance at Chelsea. One of those things, where a player comes on for 15 minutes every game they're so desperate to impress that they look like a headless chicken. Forlan was the same at Man Utd.

[Brock Manson 0]

I remember him saying that if he signed for us he'd stay for one or two seasons and then move on to one of the big clubs Chelscum, Arse or ManUre.

 

So I'm glad he was fucking shit in the prem.

[luckyluke 2]

I remember him saying that if he signed for us he'd stay for one or two seasons and then move on to one of the big clubs Chelscum, Arse or ManUre.

 

So I'm glad he was fucking shit in the prem.

 

I remember that too. The twunt.

[Gemmill 46281]

I remember when everyone thought he was the best thing since sliced bread off the back of his Championship Manager CV.

[Baggio 0]

He's a good striker who just didn't fit in with Chelsea's formation.

 

It'll be similar to playing Owen up top on his own.

[MrBass 2727]

I never rated him so am quite glad we never got him.

 

Never rated Drogba either but that can wait until the 'Drogba: I almost signed for Toon' thread.

[Sima 0]

I never rated him so am quite glad we never got him.

 

Never rated Drogba either but that can wait until the 'Drogba: I almost signed for Toon' thread.

 

Don't really see how you can't rate Drogba now, he's one in the best in the world at playing a lone striker.

[sweetleftpeg 0]

Glad to see he's grown up and showing a bit more respect, when we played PSV in the UEFA cup he was waxing lyrical about how shit we were and what he was going to do to us. Big lugged ugly bastid.

[Gemmill 46281]

 

Puh Oh Buh.