Ben Arfa - Next Season

Like it was reported in the local media
That Suarez plus cash deal in exchange for shola ameobi is on the cards this summer
Pigs might fly, and why Liverpool ??
When he leaves it will be to a top team not a middle of the table team living in the shadows of man utd for last twenty years

 

No point speculating really. IF a decent club comes in and makes a decent offer and IF his head is turned in their direction, then he will go (eg PSG). Can't see Liverpool being that club, but who knows?

In the meantime, we have an absolutely cracking player who could get into most Prem teams.

 

Corrected for ya Obi Wan.

I can't see ANY team currently in the EPL that would not want a fully fit HBA in their team.

We certainly have some tremendous options in our squad now, our back 5 pretty much picks itself, but to have a list of players to pick from for the remaining 6 places is mind blowing:-

Sissoko
HBA
Cabaye
Tiote
Le Marv
Le Gouff
Jonas
Cisse
Anita
Bigirimana
Vukic
Shola
Sammi

You can even chuck Ferguson, Abeid, Gosling in there as well

The future's bright....the future's L'Orange

 

He sounds very happy and settled and certainly not looking to leave according to this article from 26th February:

“I came with a great sense of adventure,” he said. “I knew it would be a challenge and very difficult at the beginning because I didn’t speak very good English and nobody here spoke French then, but it has been a fantastic experience for me. I have the confidence of the manager, the owner, all the coaching staff. I really trust in their ethos.

“And there’s also something that just clicked with the supporters. It’s one of those feelings that’s difficult to explain. Sometimes things just slot into place. I feel a great sense of pride to see all the French players arriving. They are great signings. We’ve recruited very well.”


He is eager to do his bit for Alan Pardew, the manager. “We have a good relationship,” Ben Arfa said. “He’s given me a lot of responsibility, but he’s done it gradually, so he’s learnt exactly where I play best. And he now has confidence in me, which has really helped my game. I want to repay him for that.”

He is hungry, for himself and for Newcastle. “I’d love to win titles, silverware,” he said. “To give everything I can so that at the end of my career I can look back and have no regrets. Why not here? It’s a beautiful club. There’s everything here to succeed; a great stadium and infrastructure, brilliant fans, good players. Everything is in place.”

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport...e3698154.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2013_02_24

 

One thing Pardew has done consistently well is his treatment of Benni both fitness wise and mentally it seems. I was so glad we didnt rush him back after the long lay off and have seemed to use a lot of knowledge and common sense in bringing him through other knocks, which seems obvious but isnt always the case. Hopefully it bears fruit, can you imagine what he would get up to in an injury free season? Be worth the ticket price alone.

 

Yeah, I remember being very frustrated last season that Benni wasn't given an immediate starting birth ahead of Obertan but holding him back made him both hungry and aware of his responsibilities - he never tracked back at Marseille, now, whilst he's no defender, he puts himself about and helps by adding a body in our own half.

I'm mo excited than ever to get him back into the team!

 

Sort of speaking of which, has anyone else noted how much better Cisse's all around play is since his goal ration has slipped ?

Last season he scored for fun, but did bugger all else. At the moment though, he is winning possession, holding up the ball and playing in team mates. If he ever finds his proper shooting boots again, he will be an amazing all around striker

 

I think a lot of that is down to Sissoko and Gouffran's willingness to show for the ball in the final 3rd - Gutierrez has become more defensive and Obertan doesn't have the confidence, before Cisse would find himself more isolated, now he has passes to pick out and team mates in support!

 

This is a complete nothing story. We're meant to be offering him a new deal. His current one runs until 2015. He wouldn't move unless it's to a top club. He loves it here. It would take big big money to get him.

 

Considering the amount of money paid for Henderson & Downing Then don't expect Hatem for the same amount. He is twice the player they are and excites supporters with his skills running at defences and a great shot.
With the current squad at St. James Park being very close I can't see him wanting to leave.

 

I have learned through the years that absolutely anything can happen in football, things you never think would so I wouldn't write this story off completely, however I know that:

HBA is very, very happy here judging from his latest interview and has never really expressed any desire whatsoever to move away from us, the only thing remotely close to that was that he would one day love to play for PSG.
He was recently quoted (a matter of days ago) as saying that he feels he owes us and particularly Pardew for the faith that has been shown in him.

If he were to move it wouldn't be for anything less than 15-20 million, as this is the minimum that hes worth.

 

Ben Arfa has a good relationship with Pardew - who has HBA's respect. After some of his problems earlier in his career, I fancy that means more to HBa at the minute than moving.

 

Just don't think HBA would want to move now when we have such a strong French presence in the team.

 

I agree that this story is a non starter...

 

...Fin!

 

In the opening post I did on this article I wrote that if Tony Barrett of the Times ( a VERY knowledgeable LFC journo, the most knowledgeable journo there is regards LFC , 90% of journos talk **** he doesnt he knows his stuff and has an excellent relationship with LFC) wrote the article I would believe it 100%. Today he has done a web chat, and hes named 2 LFC targets for the summer Christian Eriksen and ........Hatem Ben Arfa.I am certain having heard Barrett say it, there will an interest in HBA. I speculate that LFC will not pay more than £15m for him under any circumstance,and I suspect the main reason for interest is to try and offload Carroll.If there is interest in HBA, it wouldnt surprise me if LFC has spoke to his agent already( only speaking to the player is illegal ),and perhaps they are hoping the player may force a move

 

To Liverpool??? I highly doubt it. Sorry mate but you guys are not as attractive as you were four or five years ago (when you could have signed anyone bar Ronaldo and Messi). I would also hope that Carroll would not be part of any deal otherwise you would have gained revenge for us ripping you off in 2011!

 

While LFC might be interested, I can't see them getting him.

£15 m is not likely to interest MA. Ben Arfa is one of the very best attacking midfielders in the Prem. His injury record reduces his value somewhat, but not to £15 m.

With respect to him forcing a move, I appreciate that you come in peace and I do not wish to be insulting. You are finishing the season strongly and are likely to be in Europe next year, whereas (bar winningthe europa League) we will not. However, if HBA was going to force a move, why would it be to you ? There are other, signifcantly better teams, that would want him.

 

Oh, and I don't think Carroll is worth any more to us than he is to anyone else: about £10m perhaps.

Frankly, I doubt we'd pay that for him - - MA likes a bargain

 

That's like me saying I am interested in buying an Aston Martin but only have a
Fiver, course they would like to sign him who would not but 15m is a non starter.
If he goes it would be to win trophies not go for a history lesson in English football