Shola to get new contract

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...ews/shola-ameobi-offered-new-contract-1943164

Shola Ameobi is set to be offered a new contract by Alan Pardew.

The 31-year-old will go into the last year of his current contract at the end of the season and Pardew is keen to extend his stay on Tyneside.

However, Pardew has suggested that Ameobi may consider a change of scenery after spending his entire career at St James’ Park.

Ameobi may well split the opinion of United fans, but he is deemed an influential figure for the Magpies behind the scenes and younger professionals regard him as a role model at the club.

And Pardew is hoping to keep him with Newcastle into his peak years. This has been the case at Manchester United with established stars like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes with Sir Alex Ferguson tending to top up contracts on a yearly basis.

Pardew told the Chronicle: “He’s still got another year here with us.

“And I don’t see a problem extending that. We’ll see.”

Regardless of Ameobi’s popularity at the club with the backroom staff though, the Academy product has not been a first choice for Pardew.

Ameobi – who is officially the Premier League’s most used substitute in history with 122 appearances from the bench – may consider a stint elsewhere in order to gain regular first- team football.

Of course, given Ameobi’s love for United it would be a major decision.

Having played under Sir Bobby Robson, Graeme Souness, Glenn Roeder, Sam Allardyce, Kevin Keegan, Joe Kinnear, Chris Hughton and Alan Pardew, only Keegan attempted to offload him.

That was in 2008 when he was loaned out to Stoke City under Tony Pulis during the Potters’ rise from the Championship.

And Pardew indicated that Ameobi has a decision to make in the coming months.

United – like any club – don’t like players’ contracts to run down to beyond the final year with a Bosman transfer reducing their chance of recouping a fee.

Pardew said: “I think the bottom line with Shola will be how long he wants to stay at one club, because he’s been here all his career.

“I hope he wants to stay, but that’ll be his decision.”

Ameobi could move beyond Alan Shearer to 50 European appearances in the upcoming two-legged clash with Benfica.

He has 76 goals for the Magpies with 15 of his goals coming during his 49 games in European competition.

Ameobi has made 288 Premier League appearances, 18 appearances in the FA Cup and 13 in the League Cup.

 

He may have his moments when he has us pulling our hair out, but he has given his all for a long time and I am delighted he will be offered a new contract. Even if he only played against them lot it would be worth it, but I actually think he has offered quite a bit as a sub and is starting to get cleverer as he gets into his old age!

 

Hats off to Shola (might take a while).

So the Slayer might stay on longer eh! Loyal servant and great lad, whatever you think of his ability on the pitch.

Mind, he can hardly move now though! Wind on another two years .

You'd have thought with the relatively low number of games he has played throughout such a long career that he'd be able to run around all match.

I think Pards should to see whether the Mackems, or we, or both, get relegated. Then decide. Ideally, having both secured Premier League football again we loan him out for the season, but with a clause that he has to return to play in those two specific games each season.

 

has he had a testimonial?

 

Not yet. Knowing the bloke as we do.. He'll most likely give the proceeds to charity.
Top man.

 

Giving something back to the Mackems to make up for all the hurt and suffering?

 

He's certainly worth keeping for squad depth. Can't be on too much wage wise, and a good character who loves the club.

 

Aye.... Three goals in the derby would do just fine

 

Nice pic of Shola btw ACS. I saw him on that interview and thought at the time, has anyone ever looked less like a footballer?

 

He looks like a Circus announcer

 

aye, but a hell of a clever one!

 

Or a professor boffin type.

 

Or a professor boffin type.

 

My arse will he consider a change of scenery. He'd dive for the dotted line.

 

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If it was me I'd wait until I saw if 5under1and went down. If they do then forget it as they are the only decent games he's played in.
If we sign another striker of real quality and with young Campbell coming through how is he going to get a game?