A few days ago, the agent of Thomas Robert – Laurent’s son – confirmed Newcastle United were one of the club’s competing to sign the Frenchman this summer.
The Montpellier winger looks set to be available on a free in a few months time, and he’s been speaking on Sky Sports earlier today alongside his dad.
When asked about his father’s career on Tyneside and a potential move to the Premier League, here’s what he had to say – hinting it would be a ‘dream’ to follow in his dad’s footsteps:
“I remember my dad’s career but I was a little bit small when he played at Newcastle,”
“I recall him playing at Benfica and with Toronto. We don’t play the same way because I dribble more than he used to. He has a great left foot and I train every day to be as good as him on free-kicks and corners.
“I also think I might be a little bit faster, although he tries to teach me all of his qualities. Before every match I look at videos of my father to see how he scored his goals.
“I need to prove to everybody that I can play in a bigger team. I need to stay free of injury and help the team win. I have told Montpellier that I can’t sign with them again unless I can play in the first team. Now I am free from Montpellier and can go somewhere else in the new season.
“My dream is to play in the Premier League in England – for me, it’s the best competition in the world.”
The 19-year-old has recently rejected the chance to remain in Ligue 1, turning down Montpellier’s final contract offer, and it’s said both ourselves, Celtic and Rangers are all in the mix to sign him this summer.
Here’s what Laurent Robert then said about his son on Sky Sports, hinting he’ll be back on day when Thomas is playing at St James’ Park:
“I still speak with fans on Instagram and I want to see Newcastle back at the top and to even win the Champions League – why not?
“I want to come back to see one game there – maybe when Thomas is playing there.”
“I know he has the quality to play at the highest level,”
“He likes to practice every day and train hard. I’m sure he has the ability to be better than me. He has a great left foot, right foot and can head the ball – unlike me!
“I don’t just coach Thomas. I work for Montpellier and I coach the attackers at the club. I’m with Thomas twice a week. That’s the reason he has a good left foot!
“Every day we talk about English football and he said to me many years ago that he’d like to play in England.
“When I went to Newcastle from France, I found the Geordie-speak very difficult to understand.
“When Thomas goes to England, there will be no problem. He likes the atmosphere at the stadiums and even the temperature! I told him that English football is the best in the world.”
You’d expect high praise from Robert senior, but if he’s anywhere near as good as his dad we’d be crazy not to pursue him on a free!
It sounds clear he’d jump at the chance to sign at St James’ Park if the offer did arrive.
With his dad currently a youth coach at Montpellier, maybe we could bring both to Tyneside!?
Refusing to sign an extension unless you get first team football is not a good sign, prove your good enough for first team then there shouldn’t be a problem
Stephen Glaister(Quote)