Jun11

Yohan Who?

TheDimpleboy, Thoughts and reflections, Transfers, Yohan Cabaye 45 comments
 

Cabaye the lad!

Finally the wait is over! After weeks of speculation, hundreds of different rumours, and thousands of tweets all, the first part of our transfer kitty has been spent.

A few hours ago, as mentioned in the previous article by Dan in fact, Yohan Cabaye finally put pen to paper and signed a deal that will see him at St James’ Park until 2016.

But hang on a sec, apart from watching him play a couple of times for France, what do we actually know about him? Yes I’ve seen some very impressive Youtube clips but remember the last time we saw an “amazing” player on Youtube, I give you Albert Luque… Hopefully this time around things will be different.



Anyway, Yohan started playing football at a very young age, and was already playing for a club at the ripe old age of 5. He stayed there for the next seven years and turned many a scouts head, however he displayed loyalty to his hometown and stuck with his team.

However at the age of 12 he was spotted by a talent scout for Lille who quickly made sure they snapped him up before it was too late. He progressed through the ranks of the youth system for six years until he finally made his club debut at the age of 18. This was actually by chance a game that I watched and at the time I remember being impressed by him and a striker who’s name slips my mind.

After some excellent displays he was almost instantly a first team regular for Lille, and in the 2009-2010 campaign he notched 15 goals from midfield which attracted widespread interest and caused a huge stir in many countries; however for whatever reason no-one was really aware of him over here.

Cabaye has also proved that he is capable of performing at the highest level by playing for the France Under 16’s all the way up to Under 21’s, and this season he made his first appearance for the senior national side and has played four times for them at the time of writing.

Keeping all that in mind and considering that we clinched the deal for £5 million, even the most pessimistic fan would have trouble arguing against this transfer.

Yohan who? Hopefully in the next 12 months his name will be on the lips of every commentator in the land, and of course, he’ll still be playing for the Toon.

Yohan Cabaye. Remember that name.

Tags

« Cabaye signs – 5 year contract!  |  It’s strikers that we really need! Is Demba Ba the answer? »  
 

45 Comments

  1. 1
    Newkie says:
    June 11, 2011 at 00:33

    Obviously the first player we sign is a Centre Mid- I suppose that’s to be expected really isn’t it :lol: Still its a good signing, would rather not lose out on Barton and hopefully we can keep them both. Good first move from the club, now lets sign some flaming strikers for gods sake…

  2. 2
    Deanes212 says:
    June 11, 2011 at 00:48

    I agree with you there Newkie, he’s a great signing………. fair enough! But hes not exactly what we need! We need a good winger, and a finisher or two! I’m excited about the prospect of a good signing, though I still have this sense of frustration as i know he’s not what we NEED! Mr Pardew…… please sort this out!

  3. 3
    Aussie Magpie Fan says:
    June 11, 2011 at 00:51

    That second goal was class……reminds me a little bit of myself when I was younger :shock: :shock:

  4. 4
    joppadoni says:
    June 11, 2011 at 01:22

    Nice interview on NUFCTV from him could to see him at the club. come on August!

  5. 5
    joppadoni says:
    June 11, 2011 at 01:23

    good* god its late :roll:

  6. 6
    Charlie says:
    June 11, 2011 at 01:27

    Everyone has been saying for years we need someone with creativity in the midfield. Now we have Ben Arfa and this fella. I think it is exactly what we need and it leaves us in a much stronger position when negotiating contracts.

  7. 7
    dan4toon says:
    June 11, 2011 at 01:28

    Good article Dimple :smile:

    I hear we’re closing in on Demba Ba and are expected to sign him next week sometime as well!

  8. 8
    Newkie says:
    June 11, 2011 at 01:46

    Dan-These your own twitter sources? :grin:

  9. 9
    mithun_toon says:
    June 11, 2011 at 02:30

    @Newkie @Dan Not sauces I guess its been reported in Mirror!

  10. 10
    Bobby Shinton number 9 says:
    June 11, 2011 at 07:11

    Demba Ba?? Is that on Collingwood Street next to Perdu bar? I’m sure I was thrown out of there last week. :lol:

  11. 11
    Shanghaitoon says:
    June 11, 2011 at 07:19

    Great news!! Finally! Now just try and keep him away from Nigel De Yong! n :shock: :evil: :???:

  12. 12
    batty says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:10

    good signing ,but if it meens losing joey it will be weakening the squad not strengthening it.

  13. 13
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:13

    Looks like a good signing, quite mobile with nifty feet, and a French international. The lad can also finish too. Although we have about 27 midfielders he seems to have something about him. Hope he settles quickly into the English league, him and HBA buzzing round…looks good..

  14. 14
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:15

    batty…I reckon Barton and Cabale would work great together in midfield, only hope JB is around long enough to give it a try.. :sad:

  15. 15
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:18

    Now that the flirtation with the French Champions League players are out of the way….. :oops: …….Demba Ba is a good player, but he’s got some injury issues. Hope we don’t sign another crock…but he’d fit in with the Ashley get’em cheap strategy…and may be better value for money…..maybe as part ex for Alan Smith…

  16. 16
    toonsy says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:19

    The Demva Ba does sound like a canny nightspot :lol:

  17. 17
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:19

    Or maybe Demba Ba is now a free agent after West Ham’s relegation…?

  18. 18
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:21

    toonsy…I reckon we should sign Demba Ba just so we can have fun with his name mate.. :lol: ….great crack… :lol:

  19. 19
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:21

    Toonsy…you just home from the late shift, or getting ready for the early shift ?

  20. 20
    toonsy says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:28

    MM – Neither mate. Finished at 11 last night. Back in at 4 this afternoon then off for a couple of days :)

  21. 21
    johno toon says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:29

    looks he could be a good signing. Hopefully he will settle early as i think tat can be a problem for any player coming to a new country. Not sure how d keen id be on ba. Good scoring record at west ham but does have a dodgy knee. But its been a good start into transfer market. Hopefully we get a few more faces in shortly.

  22. 22
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:30

    ok bud……

  23. 23
    batty says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:31

    aye hes free munich

  24. 24
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:32

    I posted the same crap yesterday…but I wonder where Anelka is gonna end up…?…not three bad a player…French…a bit older though …would be a canny loan signing for a year until summat better comes along..

    Sturridge would also be a great signing but cannae see it coming off.

    Ed is currently posting that Gervinho has signed for Arsenawl…but will believe it when he’s holding the strip ower his heed..

  25. 25
    batty says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:32

    wheres this fookin wide awake club which bobby keeps on aboot :smile:

  26. 26
    TheDimpleboy says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:33

    I never actually got round to seeing Demba Ba play for West Ham, what type of player is he? And is he any good? :smile:

  27. 27
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:34

    batty@23……then Ashley will have the toon caravan parked at his door as we speak… nowt better than an international player for now.. :lol:

  28. 28
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:35

    batty… :lol: :lol: …Bobby needs his sleep….

  29. 29
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:36

    Bank Holiday in Germany….three days off …wehey !

  30. 30
    toonsy says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:38

    Dimp – He can finish and looks to be a strong lad. Only problem is his knees to be honest. He has failed two medicals previously because of them….

  31. 31
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:39

    Dimpleboy…I watched Demba Ba play the last couple of seasons in the Bundesliga at Hoffenheim, he’s a canny player, big strong target man, scores goals, and has a bit of skill about him. I wuz surprised though how well he fitted in in the EPL, cos it’s a different game than Germany..

  32. 32
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:41

    toonsy…spot on there mate regarding his medical record, plus if you throw in the fact that his national team will be wanting him to play too…think he’s a good player, but could be a risky move like. Wonder what the West Ham fans make of him..?

  33. 33
    TheDimpleboy says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:43

    Haha speaking of medical records, Keiron Dyer’s time at West ham wasn’t exactly injury free :smile:

  34. 34
    Mick G says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:44

    Lets sign more French players Vive Nouveau Chateau

  35. 35
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:46

    Dimpleboy….Dyer has a horrendous medical record…flippin heck, remember his time at the toon..

    Pity like, cos he is an immense player, pity for the lad..

  36. 36
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:46

    Allez the Lads… :lol: :lol:

  37. 37
    johno toon says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:54

    but atleast we got to see him for a couple of seasons munich!! Unlike west ham. Did he even play 20 games for them?

  38. 38
  39. 39
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 08:58

    johno….don’t think West Ham got too many games out of Dyer either mate. Pity really, cos I remember when Dyer signed for the toon, he was so quick with the ball, immense player with a humongous turn of speed.

  40. 40
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 09:01

    On the subject of our need to sign a “quality striker”….doesn’t the decision to bladder Ranger come over as even more so bizarre ? I mean, we all know the lad is a bit radged, and at the moment he isn’t a “quality striker” …but he has potential…

    Regarding Ranger, there was a cafuffle a few weeks back that the club were gonna toast him…since then absolutely nowt…whats happening ? Heard Stoke were sniffing after him for a million squids…

  41. 41
    TheDimpleboy says:
    June 11, 2011 at 09:02

    Dyer could have been amazing if it weren’t for his horrendous injuries and misfortune :cry:

  42. 42
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 09:02

    batty@38…did you notice on your post there mate…the lad has a bit of Vietnamese about him…interesting stuff..

  43. 43
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 09:03

    ditto that Dimpleboy….pity for the toon and England imo…

  44. 44
    Munich Mag says:
    June 11, 2011 at 09:04

    doh…batty’s post banned in Jaarmany…freakin censors… :evil:

  45. 45
    Bobby Shinton number 9 says:
    June 11, 2011 at 11:11

    @batty

    The wide awake club chief executive is at work this morning.

    I’m just waiting for the nighty night club to suggest the next superstar to be arriving in the Toon! :razz:

    Has anyone got any thoughts on Jose and why there’s been no announcement from his agent about the very lucrative offer on the table for him?

    Odds on that he will be sold to Liverpool on the final day of the window so the money can’t be spent. :shock:

    This club is so predictable. :roll:

« Cabaye signs – 5 year contract!  |  It’s strikers that we really need! Is Demba Ba the answer? »  

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