Alan Pardew praises Senegalese talisman Papiss Cisse

Former SC Freiburg striker Papiss Demba Cissé earned praise from new boss Alan Pardew after scoring on his debut for the Magpies.

Newcastle United signed the Senegal international for £9 million, which is £9 million more than they paid for fellow Senegalese striker Demba Ba.

Nonetheless, both look tremendous signings for the Toon.

Cissé came off the bench against Aston Villa, replacing an injured Leon Best, to fire the winning goal into the back of the net following a cross by Argentine Jonás Gutiérrez.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew had nothing but praise for Cissé after the match, and rightfully so.

“He’s got a better record than Demba in the Bundesliga. He’s a good age, he’s not a novice player, he’s been homed and the chances are that he could be better than Demba,” Pardew told The Northern Echo.

“He’s the right age for the number nine jersey. This is a good player we’ve got and I thought he showed that.”

Prior to joining Newcastle, Cissé had been developing his game at SC Freiburg.

He joined the Breisgau-Brasilianer back in 2009, and made a total of 67 appearances for the club, netting 39 goals.

Cissé finished 2010-11 as the Bundesliga top goalscorer runner-up after tallying 22 goals in 32 league matches for Freiburg.

In other words, he has proven that he can play at a very high level.

Despite seeing  him in just one game, I think Alan Pardew has found one of the best buys of the season, and he seems to agree.

“I’m really pleased, because it’s a big investment for the club,” said Pardew.

“Mike sanctioned it and it’s fans money I’m spending so I like to spend it well. We’ve worked hard to get him and we’ve been rewarded straight away.

Don’t worry Mr. Pardew, that £9 million was spent very wisely.

Now then, let’s not forget that Pardew landed Demba Ba on free-transfer from West Ham United this past summer.

What a signing that has proved to be for the Magpies.

Ba’s 16 goals are the second most in the Premier League this season. Only Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, who has netted 22, has scored more.

Surely 16 goals for £0 makes Demba Ba the buy of the season in all of Europe, right?

I would definitely say so. But if Newcastle can finish in the top five, Ba and Pardew will finally get the credit that they deserve.

Will Demba Ba and Papiss Cissé form an unbreakable Senegalese pair at Sports Direct Arena?