Can Newcastle keep hold of their star players?

Newcastle United have enjoyed an outstanding season, after losing key players last summer.

The Magpies were expected to struggle because of the loss of midfielders Joey Barton and captain Kevin Nolan.

Shrewd

However Toon boss Alan Pardew did some very shrewd business this summer. Pardew brought in the midfielder Yohan Cabaye and striker Demba Ba and both players have been key players this season. Ba arrived at the club on a free transfer, due to West Ham being relegated.

French international midfielder Cabaye arrived from French champions Lille for a fee in the region of £4million and has turned out to be one of the best signings of the season.

Superb

The two new players have been superb but so have the rest of the Toon squad. The likes of midfielder enforcer Cheick Tiote and goalkeeper Tim Krul have had stellar seasons in the black and white stripes of the Toon.

Interest

Newcastle’s form this season has lead to interest in their top players. They have almost been a victim of their own success. Manager Pardew insists that his star players are going nowhere.

The former-Southampton boss told Sky Sports News: “ Speculation is part of the game and I have no problem with that – but all of our best players are on long-term contracts here,”

“ Anyone who looks at this football club will know we are difficult sellers. Someone is going to have to pay a lot of money to take one of our players away – especially considering where we are right now and are having success. We have some really, really good players here”

Speculation

Demba Ba has made a big splash since joining Newcastle from West Ham in the summer. The Senegal hitman has scored 16 Premier League goals this season. Ba reportedly has a release clause of £8million and that seems to have alerted some of the Premier League big boys.

Both Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for Ba. According to Ba though he isn’t interested in leaving the North East. Whether he will say the same if an offer from one of those two comes in is a different matter.

Ba is one of the biggest earners at Newcastle but even he could get a bigger wage at United or Chelsea. However he seems happy on Tyneside and is in good form.

Talented

This season Newcastle keeper Tim Krul has been one of the best in the Premier League. He has emerged as one of the most promising young keepers in the English top flight and received a call-up to the Dutch national team.

The 23 year-olds form has lead to speculation linking him with a move to champions Manchester United. Young Spaniard David de Gea has struggled slightly in his first season at Old Trafford and it has been suggested that the Red Devils are already looking at replacements.

Enforcer

Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote is often described as a ‘midfield enforcer’ but he is more than just a water carrier. He can also play as well as tackle. Tiote is a dying breed of player in modern football, a player that is prepared to do the dirty work in midfield, a player not afraid to tackle opponents

The Ivory Coast international is highly-rated and is being linked with a summer move to Chelsea. Although Tiote was also linked with a move to Stamford Bridge last summer.

Money

If any of Newcastle’s star players do leave then it will be for substantial fees. Newcastle chairman Mike Ashley isn’t likely to accept small fees for Newcastle’s star players. Ashley isn’t well-liked by Newcastle fans, to say the least, but he is no mug when it comes to getting the best deal for the club.

Impressed

I have to admit I am impressed with Newcastle’s scouting network, it puts most clubs to shame when it comes to finding quality players. Newcastle are an example to every club in the English top flight of how to find players at relatively low prices.

Newcastle have been impressive this season and its vital that the Magpies can keep hold of their top players. If they can then I think that Alan Pardew can help the club progress even further next season.

The big question is can Newcastle keep hold of their top players?