Monroe Transfer 0 Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 Hopefully we can get this deal pretty much sealed on New Year's Day (don't know if the club are open then, pretty sure the FA aren't), or my productivity at work on the 2nd isn't going to be very commendable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyff 0 Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 <3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Manson 0 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 About time. Now a new centre back please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 14031 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 About time. Now a new centre back please. May I present... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenL 0 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Steven Taylor coming back from injury is our new centre back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTF 6145 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Steven Taylor coming back from injury is our new centre back. There's only two phases of Steven Taylor; coming back from injury, and coming back to injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2012/12/31/mathieu-debuchy-newcastle-united-finally-get-their-man/ All good things must come to an end. Nineteen years after signing a youth contract at Lille from local club Fretin, the time has come for Mathieu Debuchy to leave his boyhood club and swap northern France for the North-East of England. The 27-year old joins up with good friend and former teammate Yohan Cabaye at Newcastle United for what looks like a bargain at £5 million. Rumours of a move to England played out all through the summer after a successful showing at Euro 2012. Debuchy’s stock had never been higher, impressing against England in the opening game of the tournament it looked like the right-back was ready to take full advantage of Bacary Sagna’s injury and raise his profile on the big stage. It was clear that the player wanted to take the next step in his career but Lille boss Rudi Garcia was determined to dig in his heels and keep the player for another 12 months. Young right-back Djibril Sidibe moved from Troyes for just over €2 million and the rumours increased that his signing would give Debuchy the green light to join the French contingent at Newcastle. Lille asking price of around €10 million didn’t quite match Newcastle’s valuation and the move stuttered never really edging towards a conclusion. In the end Debuchy resigned himself to another 12 months in France and his move would have to wait. Then after a disastrous Champions League performance from Les Dogues things started to change at the club, changes that sparked Debuchy’s hasty exit. Lille’s number 1 and France’s third choice goalkeeper Mickael Landreau ended his contract at the club and left without even waiting for the transfer window to open. A former member of Garcia’s group of elders, his position at the club had deteriorated and was no longer looked upon as an important influence at the club. The same it seems has happened to Debuchy. Only last week he was quoted in French newspaper l’Equipe stating he wouldn’t leave in the January window: “The sport situation is not very good at the club now, but I don’t have real desire to leave in January and abandon my team. “I would like to end the season here, even if things could happen quickly. “No one at Lille has told me ‘you have to leave in January because we have money trouble’, but if an offer comes along and it would satisfy everyone…” “I have not changed my mind in six months about England and Newcastle.” Nine days later a deal has been agreed by both clubs and the player will travel to England this week for a medical. The fee agreed is the same price Newcastle offered in the summer, so what’s happened to push this through in the January sales? The club will never admit it publicly but Debuchy should have been sold in the summer. Playing the best football of his career, helped Lille win the double in 2011, then finish 3rd in 2012. His valuation at 27 years old would never get any higher. Waiting for 12 months to let the player go would only see his price go down. To any Lille fan watching the right-backs performances this season it was clear his mind wasn’t in Lille. The player wanted to move, was forced to stay, injury meant he started the season late after the European Championships, this was not the player that had been outstanding for two seasons. Rudi Garcia had hoped that Debuchy’s dedication to his club would outweigh his desire to leave France. After 19 years of unquestionable service to the club it’s not surprising that Debuchy’s mind wandered and the performances at times have lacked the same energy and desire that used to be a constant in the “Bionic Man’s” game. He no longer looked like an indespensible member of the team. The fans have not shown any ill feelings towards Debuchy, born and bred 7 miles from the new Grand Stade Lille Metropole, Debuchy is a one of them, and always will be. Now it is up to the player to put the last four months behind him and get back to doing what he does best. When he is playing to his best there are very few players that can match Debuchy’s desire to attack down the flanks but also work his socks off to fulfill his defensive duties. Debuchy broke into the first team in 2004 making his debut against Metz. Starting his career as a defensive midfielder he was then moved to the wing by Claude Puel . A knee injury halted his progress but he would come back better than ever. By 2008 Rudi Garcia was in charge and after Mathieu Chalme and Stephane Lichtsteiner left the club the new manager made the decision to try his hard-working midfielder at right-back. After initial skepticism the move was a great success. Once he adapted to his defensive duties his desire to break forward and the natural attacking instincts that came from playing in midfield made him an exciting option down the flank. When given a license to push forward Debuchy is a very dangerous asset. Two goals and three assists during Lille’s title winning run showed what he was capable of and then last season he was superb scoring five goals and at times as crucial to Lille’s game-plan as Eden Hazard. The balance of the Championship team was perfect. Debuchy was allowed to attack in the knowledge that the midfield trio of Yohan Cabaye, Rio Mavuba and Florent Balmont were there to cover him. This season with Mavuba and Balmont two years older and Cabaye now a distant memory the protection for the full-back has lacked at times and Lille’s high-line has been punished. Now at Newcastle, Debuchy will be able to reignite his role beside Cabaye, with Cheik Tiote and Vurnon Anita adding further protection. There is no doubting Debuchy’s ability in being able to make the jump the Premier League. He will be hungry and determined to show that he deserved the move four months ago and the performances at Euro 2012 were no flash in the pan. Lille are losing a player that has been an integral part of the first team for the best part of a decade, a player that has been one of the first names on Rudi Garcia’s team-sheet for the past five seasons and a player that the fans will dearly miss. Newcastle United are getting a player that will not only bring a dedication and desire to always work hard for his team but a excellent defender that is always willing to attack at the faintest hint of opportunity. If Alan Pardew gives Debuchy the freedom to push forward and provide a presence in the final third then there is no doubt Newcastle have signed an excellent player, and at £5 million, a bargain. Merci beaucoup Monsieur Debuchy. Au revoir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitman 2188 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Debuchy or Danny Simpson. Now there's a fucking tough choice..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Joseph Barton @Joey7Barton Debuchy has signed for Newcastle. He was good for Lille when we played them. Very attacking. Be interesting to see how he goes... #Nufc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christmas Tree 3997 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 http://frenchfootballweekly.com/2012/12/31/mathieu-debuchy-newcastle-united-finally-get-their-man/ Nice read, sounds all good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13836 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Imagine a cross beating the first man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5903 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 The midfield 3 are going to need to be disciplined with Santon and Debuchy bombing on on both wings. Looking forward to seeing the problem RB position finally plugged though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13836 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 That's what annoys me about Santon sometimes - he's happy to get forward but how many times do you see him casually walking back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Nice read, sounds all good. Team positive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Looking forward to seeing the problem RB position finally plugged though I'm not expecting Debuchy to be an ever-present, putting in performances that regularly put Simpsons best in the shade, from the day he signs. Think it's dangerous to set expectations too high from the get-go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 8989 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 The midfield 3 are going to need to be disciplined with Santon and Debuchy bombing on on both wings. Looking forward to seeing the problem RB position finally plugged though Not to get all Deano, but I wouldn't mind something like this Krul Colo Taylor Debuchy ------Tiote ------Santon Anita Cabaye Ben Arfa -------------Marveaux Cisse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene_Clark 12 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Does anyone remember the anticipation when we signed Malcolm Brown from Huddersfield Town in Summer 1983? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Manson 0 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Given how many times Arsenal exposed the gaping space left by Simpson, do we really need an attacking right back? If Debuchy can't actually defend we may as well play him as a winger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5903 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Given how many times Arsenal exposed the gaping space left by Simpson, do we really need an attacking right back? If Debuchy can't actually defend we may as well play him as a winger. His attacking play was that good in the Euro's he kept opposing teams left wingers in their own half for most of the game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 13836 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Santon is just as bad for it & if we had a hard working midfielder on the flank *cough* Jonas it doesn't look as bad. Right now it's easy for us to lose shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaMoUsE 0 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Be great too see a fullback beat his man rather than watch danny simpson stumbling forward into people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 8989 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 It's a shame he won't play against Everton, I'd fancy him and Obertan to keep Baines and Piennar a lot more occupied than Simpson and Obertan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 It's a shame he won't play against Everton, I'd fancy him and Obertan to keep Baines and Piennar a lot more occupied than Simpson and Obertan. Obertan played on the left in the last game though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Honestly I can't believe some people are putting a negative slant on this signing. We've been crying out for some quality delivery from the right-hand side for God knows how long now. It's no coincidence that Simpson is given so much time on the ball in the final third by the opposition because they know he can't punish them due to his terrible crossing ability. Debuchy as we know is brilliant at crossing the ball, plus he has excellent stamina so he can get up and down the pitch all game. This will also mean the opposition can no longer use the tactic they have against Simpson which will now leave space across the park for our other players as we are no longer automatically weak down either side. We know Ben Arfa is at his best cutting in from the right, but now he has Debuchy who he can release the ball to instead of us losing momentum as he doesn't pass to Simpson as he knows that he is not good enough. Debuchy's ability going forward will also help out the defence as I am a firm believer in defending from the front and this will mean we put the opposition on the back foot, which means we aren't under as much pressure defensively. Much like the way Everton do down their left hand side with Baines and Pienaar. Him and Ben Arfa can have exactly the same impact here. We're signing a proven French international who is now at his peak. Can't remember the last time I was this excited to see a player out of the team in Simpson, and especially as the man incoming is a huge upgrade on him too. He will be a brilliant signing for us as far as I am concerned. I have no doubt about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 8989 Posted December 31, 2012 Share Posted December 31, 2012 Obertan played on the left in the last game though... Aye, true enough, but he was out there so Cisse could play on the right. I'd expect Gabriel to return to his normal right hand side with Cisse in the centre and Jonas back on the left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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