A great interview with Yohan Cabaye reveals that he turned down an offer from Tottenham to be the replacement for Modric in the transfer window just gone.
Thanks to our excellent translator, Pierre, once again for the expert translation from the Canal+ interview. Even if your schoolboy/girl French isn’t up to the job, it is well worth watching the video for some great footage of Cabaye in various Tyneside locations, intercut with match action and of course Alan Pardew and others speaking about our French playmaker.
“Le Patient Anglais” – The English Patient
(5:30) Cabaye’s belief is to be irreproachable on the pitch before you allow yourself to speak about the team and give advice.
(9:00) Despite the fact that many said he should have gone to Spain as his game suited it more, Cabaye was convinced that he was making the right choice: “For me it (Premier League) is the best league in the world, you have to work twice as hard and we know about the high tempo in every match. This is what attracted me and I will develop physically”.
(11:05) His ex-manager from Lille feels that, “a year on Cabaye is stronger, he has reached maturity, he is a complete player, he can do everything and he can play in the midfield of all top teams in the world”, hence the transfer rumours in the summer… He was linked with a move to Spain , Arsenal and Manchester United; the contacts did take place but only one real proposition took place…Tottenham.
Cabaye: “The offer from Tottenham was to replace Modric”.
Pardew was asked if he could play for a top team, “Could he play for a top team?-Yes, do I want him to go elsewhere?-NO”.
Cabaye: “If I had wanted to leave I would have; I have not left, I was not meant to leave as I am still here and I hope a lot of good things will come out of it”.
(11:25) He felt out of sorts at the beginning of the season following the Euros and the break, then started sluggishly. For the last 4 years he has worked with a French personal trainer who comes every month for 3 days to work on conditioning. His Ex-manager is concerned that he could burn himself out and that the club must know what he is doing as he is obsessive and after perfection…which they do according to Cabaye and he feels he needs to do this to be at his peak.
(15:00) An extra training day has been added and Demba Ba joins him for a session on the beach (near Seaton Sluice). His French coach believes he has improved by 25% with this extra conditioning.
He also keeps in touch with 2 osteopaths, one being the osteopath for the French team. He is the one who comes once a month to give him a general check up.
(16:45) He does relax and enjoys meals and evenings at his home with his French Pals (Marveaux, Ben Arfa, Amalfitano, Abeid and Ba). He is considered to be the lynchpin and a ‘natural leader’:
Ben Arfa: “He is someone I trust, it is very important and I benefit from it”.
Amalfitano: “He is a correct guy, uncomplicated and hard working…so why not follow him”.
Demba Ba: “He could be a captain; he has the charisma, the qualities and the GOB! Cos when you need someone to speak! He will speak out!! Oh la la, on the pitch he is unbearable to live with!!!” (Smiling).
Pardew reckons that a year down the line he could be the captain but he needs to understand the Premiership first.
Cabaye often thinks about the end of his career and what he will have achieved. He would love to know NOW what it will be.
(On mobile devices you may have to click ‘Interieur Sport – Le Patient Anglais’ at very bottom to activate video)
