Geremi gets emotional ahead of Barcelona match ‘I hope Newcastle win…my heart is with the club’ | OneFootball

Geremi has been speaking ahead of Newcastle v Barcelona.

The midfielder was one of the first signings of the Mike Ashley era at Newcastle United.

In July 2007, having become a free agent after his Chelsea contract came to end, Geremi signed by Sam Allardyce.

Mike Ashley actually allowed Allardyce a fair bit of cash to spend in the very first transfer window of his horrific reign on Tyneside, especially when it came to wages.

Beye, Faye, Enrique, Rozehnal, Cacapa, Barton and Smith all were bought in that summer.

Whilst Geremi and Viduka arrived as ‘free’ agents, both of them reported to be on wages of £100,000 a week each.

Fair to say that for these last two, their best days (and best speed!) were in the past, both of them proving expensive mistakes and summing up the mess Sam Allardyce made, which basically laid the foundations for the relegation that would follow the next season.

Whilst Newcastle United fans won’t look back with much fondness on the days when Geremi was at the club, it appears that for the former player, he clearly loved his time on Tyneside…

Geremi speaking to ‘Best Betting Sites’ ahead of Thursday’s Newcastle v Barcelona match:

“On the one hand, we all know that Barcelona has a very good team and an exceptional squad.

“For Newcastle, it’s important for them to start regularly playing against the big teams like Barcelona.

“That’s how Eddie Howe and his team can define if they’re ready or not.

“It’s interesting, but I think for Newcastle, a win would be a huge achievement but they have to make sure they are ready to compete throughout the whole league format.

“I hope Newcastle win and I send my best wishes, because my heart is with the club.

“For me, I won’t be surprised if they get a good result, especially at home. Then they can go on with a different mentality if they succeed.

“They will have to work exceptionally hard to match Barcelona, and Barca will have most of the ball. They will have to stay compact and work together as a team to avoid conceding.