Sorry to have to mention this when we have had such a great start to the season, but there is something that worries me and I want to see what others think... I am worried about Coloccini. His contract runs out at the end of next season, I think, and at that point he will be 31. But for me he will still have five years left at the top of his game after his current contract runs out. However will the powers that be agree that he still has five years at the top of his game. Barton and Nolan are two older players on high wages that went because they wanted long term contracts and although I agree that they shouldn't have been given them I think Colo deserves at least a four year extension on his contract. For me if we were to lose Colo we would be unable to replace him. He is the heartbeat of our side. Is anyone else worried that due to age and wage we might lose Colo at the end of next season? I really hope not, as in my opinion he is the best centre back we have ever had at Newcastle in my lifetime.
He's only the heartbeat of the club until his replacement comes along (ala. Nolan, Barton vs. Cabaye/Tiote etc ..) A 4 year extension is too much, perhaps he'll be offered 2 with a 1 year option .. have a feeling he will likely reject it though and head to warmer climes (if I'm honest) and will ultimately be replaced with a younger CB to play alongside Saylor .. really no point thinking about it today though ..
I am thinking about it now, because, for me, we need to offer him a new contract now. For me, I can't see us realistically replacing him. With Nolan and Barton I wasn't too fussed because I knew they were easily replaceable.
He's not as much bother as Nolan and Barton were, yes his wages are high but he keeps himself out of trouble and doesn't speak out against the club or owt.
Will he accept a pay cut and a couple year extension? I don't know. He might, but that's only because I can't see him being offered better terms anywhere else. I highly doubt he'll be able to get £80k a week on anymore than 2 years at the age of 31 - especially if he moves to a team abroad. He's a big part of our side mind, so I do think that he'll be offered the best wage we could give him which doesn't break the cap. Perhaps £50/60k+ **** me I hope he stays.
I think he'll be offered a new contract for less than 4 years and with a big pay cut. Will he take it? No idea but I obviously hope so!
He's still got long enough on his contract for us not to worry too much at present but I'd hope that the club can begin contract extension talks before the end of this season. Offer him an extra 3 years on roughly the same wages with the shortfall made up for in performance bonuses as he's the captain.
I'd be happy with that! I like the fact we only buy young players but you need experience as well and he will offer that and we need to keep him, if we can, until he retires. He is such a good player.
I think we will lose him in either Jan or the summer. Sorry to be negative but there's no way Ashley will let him run down his contract a la Enrique and no way he will offer Colo an acceptable contract a la Nolan.
I've been thinking about this quite a bit as well...As others have said, he'll be offered something and if he rejects it, we'll bring in someone younger and cheaper. I think a lot could ride on our success this season - who wants to leave a winning side?
Also, if he was to reject a new contract would you prefer to sell him and get say £5 million next summer or let him run down his contract and sign a young player next summer who can learn from Coloccini?
Personally I think MA wants the high earners out. Coloccini and Gutierrez, imho, will likely be off next summer and Alan Smith is out of contract I think. I'd wager G. Carr has already been instructed to find replacements for them. The club has a wage cap which Coloccini is a long way above.
I like to kid myself and think our new look team is safe from transfers and that the only deals done will be players coming in. But there's a big however. I think Liverpool will be interested in Cabaye and possibly Jonas, Coloccini will attract interest from Spain/South America, Tiote will get interest from Chelsea and Krul will attract interest from Europe. If Ben Arfa has a good season, there'll be a lot of interest in him too and Ashley will know he'll make a huge profit on him. I wouldn't put it past Ashley to sell any member of our squad without already finding a replacement, and then not reinvest the money. But we've got until January to worry about it, and I'm going to enjoy the good times for as long as they last!
