YOHAN CABAYE wants European football at Newcastle United next season – and the charismatic Frenchman feels that it would not be out of place in one of football’s most passionate and thriving cities.
The former Lille star has urged his team-mates to finish the job and believes that the Toon Army deserve to be playing on the bigger stage next season.
The Magpies have not played in Europe since 2007 under Glenn Roeder but are in the mix for a Europa League spot, and have an outside shout for the top-four positions which would take them back to the Champions League for the first time since 2003.
Cabaye – who has already starred for Lille in the continent’s premier competition – told the Chronicle of United’s assault on the European places: “We hope it’s not finished yet. We have to keep going and finish the job for us and for the fans.
“From the start the fans have been behind us. Every home game we have played with 12 men.
“We owe it to them to finish the season in style.”
Cabaye arrived at Newcastle with a good reputation from his Lille days and after giving up life in the comfort zone in his native France, the move to England was a gamble for the midfielder and his young family.
Cabaye, proud father of Myla and wife to Fiona, reckons that Newcastle is the place for him, something that could prove significant with Premier League clubs taking note of his progress – and wondering how the midfield ace wasn’t showing up on their radar after helping lead Lille to the double in France.
Yet Cabaye says he is in love with the city that breathes black-and-white.
The France international – who will take on England at this summer’s Euro 2012 tournament – said: “It’s very friendly here and I really like it in Newcastle.
“For me it’s great. I don’t mind sitting at home, and wouldn’t have a problem with that if I had to.
“But here I can go out when I want to a restaurant or visit the Metrocentre.
“Sometimes I go out and have dinner in the city or sometimes just at home, I feel safe with my family here.
“We have a baby so we stay at home a lot, but the city is good for me. I just like the life and the people in Newcastle.”
No comments:
Post a Comment