We bring you the latest news from Newcastle United, Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
1) Remy Cabella not fazed by physicality of the Premier League
Remy Cabella has warned defenders that he won’t be fazed if they try rough-hand tactics against him.
The Frenchman is a box of tricks and has already dazzled Magpies fans with his skill in possession, after a fine debut performance against Manchester City.
The Premier League is often hard for creative players to adapt to, but the new signing from Montpellier insists that if opposition teams do start to try and kick him out of the game he will not hide from the physical battle.
“The referee doesn’t always blow when you take a knock, and I felt a few knocks,” he said of his first appearance in England.
“I’m here to learn. I’ll get in the gym and make sure I’m a bit bigger to maybe stand up to it a little bit better.”
“I’ve got to work on that.”
2) Only ‘derisory’ bids for Tiote so far
Alan Pardew has revealed that Newcastle United have only received derisory offers for Cheick Tiote so far this summer.
The in-demand midfield enforcer has been attracting the attentions of Arsenal and Lokomotiv Moscow, according to reports, but Pardew says that any bids that have been made so far have been nowhere near his valuation of the Ivorian.
“I’m not exactly sure who bid,” the manager revealed. “I heard there were a couple of derisory offers – and I mean way short of his valuation – and therefore we’ve not really entertained any serious thought of him leaving.”
“I’m a big fan of Cheick, I love the way he plays and the passion he plays with and he’s been an important part of the success here. The players we’ve got round him this year will highlight his game a little bit more.”
“He will train with us next week and I’m confident as I can be with any player that he will stay. “
3) Cabral wants Sunderland move
Sunderland misfit midfielder Cabral says that he wants to move away from Wearside this summer.
The midfielder has found first team chances limited since moving to the Stadium of Light and, after slipping further down the pecking order this summer, has realised that it is time to move.
His agent, Walter Fernandez, says that the powerful midfielder is now looking at his options and would have no qualms with dropping a division to the Championship.
“He wants to stay in England,” Fernandez said.
“We are looking at Italy and Spain but we are trying to find a club in the Premier League or the Championship.”
“It is not a problem to play in the Championship, there are a lot of interesting teams there.”
“We are still trying to find the right solution. I have spoken with clubs, but nothing has been agreed yet.”
4) Patrick Van Aanholt looking forward to United challenge
Sunderland’s Patrick Van Aanholt says that he is looking forward to taking on his former boss, Louis Van Gaal on Sunday.
The Dutch pair worked together at international level, but Van Aanholt says there will be no split loyalties, as the Black Cats look to heap further misery on Manchester United at the weekend.
“It will be nice to see him [van Gaal] on Sunday but not as friends, he is now the manager of Manchester United and we want to do our thing to get three points at our house,” he said to the club’s official site.
“He likes to play football and build from the back, so they will press high and I think we can expect them to come at us to try and get an early goal.”
“For me it is all about us, we want to play our own game, keep the ball and play through, if we do I see us getting three points.”
5) Middlesbrough have other options if Bamford doesn’t move
Middlesbrough are still waiting to sign Patrick Bamford off Chelsea, with the striker taking his time to contemplate a move to the Riverside.
The youngster, who is highly regarded at Stamford Bridge, is on the verge of a move to join ‘Boro, but is taking his time before officially agreeing to the loan and Aitor Karanka has revealed that the Championship side, who have started the season well, will move on to other targets if he does decide against the move up north.
“It t is the same situation [with Bamford]. The club is working,” Karanka revealed.
“I hope our last game [a 2-1 win at Bolton] convinced him a little bit more. Imagine if we were bottom, it would be difficult for him to want to come here. But we are fighting for higher positions and with a full squad it is easier to convince him.”
“We are working on other players because we have to have other alternatives but they also have alternatives. I need a decision as soon as possible.”
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