Today is the big day and Habib Beye has talked about his old friend Didier Drogba of Chelsea, whom he played with at Marseilles.
Habib Beye – anxious to keep old pal Drogba contained
Habib told the Newcastle Journal this morning:
“We played together for one year at Marseilles and we reached the UEFA Cup final and had good times together,†“He is a big player, one of the best in the world.â€
“We can be friends, but not during the game. I haven’t spoken to him yet. If I call him he will want to joke with me, but I don’t want to joke with him. Why not? Because I know him well. He will want to say how if I come on his side he will be able to do everything.â€
“I played against him for Senegal when we played against the Ivory Coast. He played down my side and he did nothing, but this is different, I don’t want to say anything that might make him angry in case he has the game of his life.â€
“Do I have any advice on how to deal with him? Give him a friendly kick or step on his feet, especially if it is cold. Maybe in the 95th minute I will kick him.â€
Drogba’s big criticism of course with his play, is that he goes down far too easily. Breathe on him and he’s writhing on the floor in agony, and that seems a just criticism of the player, although there’s no doubt the man is world class, as he proved so decisively against Liverpool on Wednesday night.
But Beye believes some of that criticism is unjust, as he continued:
“The criticism of him is unfair,†“But look how many goals he has scored, more than 30? I don’t know how many, but he is still one of the best in the world. He is strong, quick and sometimes people say he is diving.â€
“Sometimes it is the game for the strikers to do this. If you play against a strong defender, it is part of the game. You can’t say he does this all the time, but sometimes. He was the same at Marseille.â€
“We went to the UEFA Cup final because he was on fire. The best striker in France. He hasn’t changed his style, but it is different in England because there are some strong defenders and he has to adapt.â€
The great Senegal defender, who has a had a great first season on Tyneside thinks Manchester United have been the best side in English football this season and they will be champions if Newcastle end up beating Chelsea this afternoon.
Beye said:
“For me, United are so strong. Just look at their bench. It is unbelievable. They can play without Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Tevez, Rooney and they still win.â€
“Chelsea are strong but I can’t see United slipping up because Chelsea will lose at St James’s Park. Manchester United will win it because we will beat Chelsea.â€
Newcastle can have a massive impact on the title chase today, if they can actually best Chelsea. It’s very possible that can happen, but the lads will have to be at their very best to do it.
Comments welcome.
10 comments so far
THELONGSHANKS
May 5, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Comment #1In your back pocket beye.
Leo
May 5, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Comment #2“Maybe in the 95th minute I will kick him.â€
got to be the comment of the season
Eric
May 5, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Comment #3Hope Beye is right. We need to beat Chelsea to show everyone that we are on course to set the EPL alight next season. No pushover are the Chelsea Buns today. They want the trophy. Well we want their scalp. Mirror Mirror on the shitehouse wall is at it again. More revelations about Johnson and Davis. Also the Daily Telegraph has gone into the football agent business and are trying to sell Martins to Wenger Burger. Are these players really good enough for us? Don’t change things today KK because we have a good combination on form at the moment.
robertsa
May 5, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Comment #4good lad habib no doubt he has been our success of the season
Mark
May 5, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Comment #5Haha Habib Beye is my favourite player like, funny as owt. the kick him comment lmao!!!
He is a great player aswell, best right back since Warren Barton in his prime for us.
Whats the score ganna be the day lads? I say if we win its 1-0 or 2-1. But if we lose its 2-0 Chelsea.
Lets shove it up their cracks and give the title to the reds, keep it in the north, better than down there in scummy west lahndan.
robertsa
May 5, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Comment #6i agree eric davis aint good enough mcgeady is and modric was
robertsa
May 5, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Comment #7ill go for a 3-3 draw both teams will be going for it nd chelsea have to score loads to catch man utd
valle
May 5, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Comment #8LOL… You tell em Beye… and go kick some shins will ya?
Elliott
May 5, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Comment #9Legend in the making.
Macca
May 5, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Comment #10Oh I’d love if we crushed them and Drogba got sent off for diving. That would make my season. I hate that cheating scum. I despise them and nothing would make me happier then to see them be beaten by “lowly Newcastle” and beaten well.