Dirt McGirt
05 Aug 2005, 02:49 PM
Souness admits Jenas is unhappy
Friday August 05 2005
Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has revealed that midfielder Jermaine Jenas feels playing for the Magpies is "like living in a goldfish bowl'' but insists he will do all he can to keep him.
Souness dismissed speculation of a bust-up between himself and the £15million-rated player who has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer.
But he told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "I have spoken to the player's agent and he tells me that JJ is quite happy with things at the football club. But he says JJ feels that it is like living in a goldfish bowl being a United player in Newcastle and that is the biggest problem.''
Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Middlesbrough have all been linked with the highly-rated England star and may now consider they have got the green light to make a move.
The loss of Jenas would represent the biggest blow yet for Souness, whose side slipped out of Europe on Wednesday night, and who is desperate to bring in new players before the season starts.
However Souness stressed that he did not drop Jenas from the Intertoto Cup semi-final second leg clash with Deportivo La Coruna for any other reason than the persistent hamstring and back problem which has dogged the player through pre-season.
Souness added: "JJ has not had a problem with me or any of the staff as far as I am aware.
"Nobody on the playing side from the chairman down wants JJ to leave. Last year JJ played more games than anyone apart from Shay Given and I made him captain when Alan Shearer was out so that shows what I think of him,'' Souness told Newcastle's official website www.nufc.co.uk.
Souness has already brought in two midfielders this summer in Scott Parker and Emre, both of whom impressed in the defeat against the Spaniards.
But his problems in attack continue with Newcastle apparently no nearer to landing either of their prime targets, Nicolas Anelka or Luis Boa Morte.
Both their respective clubs rejected the Magpies' initial overtures and are still waiting for improved bids to be made.
Souness has managed to bring in three players in total so far this summer and admits he needs four more before the Premiership opener at Arsenal next weekend.
By contrast, Jenas would be the eighth first team squad member to depart - leaving the club in a worse state than they were at the end of last season's hugely disappointing campaign.I can't say I'm surprised by this considering his diminshing role last year and with Arsenal and Man ure sniffing around it would unsettle just about any player. I don't think we should sell for 10m pounds,we should demand another 4-6m pounds or a player on top of that if we must sell. Thoughts?
Friday August 05 2005
Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has revealed that midfielder Jermaine Jenas feels playing for the Magpies is "like living in a goldfish bowl'' but insists he will do all he can to keep him.
Souness dismissed speculation of a bust-up between himself and the £15million-rated player who has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer.
But he told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle: "I have spoken to the player's agent and he tells me that JJ is quite happy with things at the football club. But he says JJ feels that it is like living in a goldfish bowl being a United player in Newcastle and that is the biggest problem.''
Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Middlesbrough have all been linked with the highly-rated England star and may now consider they have got the green light to make a move.
The loss of Jenas would represent the biggest blow yet for Souness, whose side slipped out of Europe on Wednesday night, and who is desperate to bring in new players before the season starts.
However Souness stressed that he did not drop Jenas from the Intertoto Cup semi-final second leg clash with Deportivo La Coruna for any other reason than the persistent hamstring and back problem which has dogged the player through pre-season.
Souness added: "JJ has not had a problem with me or any of the staff as far as I am aware.
"Nobody on the playing side from the chairman down wants JJ to leave. Last year JJ played more games than anyone apart from Shay Given and I made him captain when Alan Shearer was out so that shows what I think of him,'' Souness told Newcastle's official website www.nufc.co.uk.
Souness has already brought in two midfielders this summer in Scott Parker and Emre, both of whom impressed in the defeat against the Spaniards.
But his problems in attack continue with Newcastle apparently no nearer to landing either of their prime targets, Nicolas Anelka or Luis Boa Morte.
Both their respective clubs rejected the Magpies' initial overtures and are still waiting for improved bids to be made.
Souness has managed to bring in three players in total so far this summer and admits he needs four more before the Premiership opener at Arsenal next weekend.
By contrast, Jenas would be the eighth first team squad member to depart - leaving the club in a worse state than they were at the end of last season's hugely disappointing campaign.I can't say I'm surprised by this considering his diminshing role last year and with Arsenal and Man ure sniffing around it would unsettle just about any player. I don't think we should sell for 10m pounds,we should demand another 4-6m pounds or a player on top of that if we must sell. Thoughts?