News from the Evening Chronicle this afternoon is that Newcastle United have made a move for Barcelona’s Brazilian defender Edmilson – whose contract at Barcelona runs out this coming Saturday at midnight.
However a complication with the deal could be the arthroscopy surgery on the Brazilian’s right knee that was performed last Thursday in Spain - and may keep Edmilson out of action anywhere from 4-6 months. This is not mentioned in the Chronicle report - but we do go into some detail on this during this article.
Edmilson of Brazil, Barcelona and Newcastle?
The other interesting rumor going around today is that Rozehnal will be introduced this afternoon with one more player. Of course there is speculation galore this could be Edmilson - we just don’t know. If this news is true - we will be announcing two new players (one being Rozehnal) and that will be excellent news for the fans - and again shows the pace of activity on the transfer front is picking up fast - as promised after last Monday’s board meeting.
The news on Edmilson came from Spain today – and obviously if Sam can pull off the free signing of Edmilson – this would be a great acquisition for Allardyce and will point to Sam’s brilliance in enticing players of great stature to play for him – as he did at Bolton. This will be a lot easier for Sam at Newcastle – especially as our brand and name (Newcastle United) get to be known on a world-wide basis – which is one of Ashley’s major focuses.
The word of caution we will put on this news is the current fitness of Edmilson - as we mentioned above - and which we expand on further in this article.
Edmilson looks to be the ideal man for the Magpies, as he can play both at center-half and as a defensive midfielder - and although he was born in Taquaritinga, in Brazil, he has an Italian passport, and this allows him to play as a European player.
Edmilson - whose full name is José EdmÃlson Gomes de Moraes - and is of Italian descent - won his first cap for Brazil on July 18th, 2000 and now has 42 caps for the South Americans and has scored one international goal. He was in the Brazil side which won the World Cup in 2002 in Japan and South Korea, but was forced to withdraw from the 2006 competition in Germany because of a knee injury.
He played first for Sao Paulo in Brazil whom he joined in 1994 at age 17 - and played for them 72 times scoring 3 goals. He then moved to Lyon in France in 2000 and played for the French side 124 times scoring 3 goals. In 2004 he moved on a ₤7M deal to Barcelona who he has played for over 80 times without scoring a goal.
Since moving to Europe, the 6′1″ Brazilian has won a domestic championship in each of his first 6 seasons (4 with Lyon and 2 with Barcelona). While at FC Barcelona he has suffered two serious injuries, but was able to fully recover and played an important role in the team’s success on the domestic and European scenes in the 2005-2006 season.
One of these injuries was a cruciate ligament injury - like the one picked up by Michael Owen last year. It has been confirmed by Barcelona Club doctors that the player underwent an “arthroscopy on his right knee” only last Thursday. It was described as a “cleaning of the cartilage and the meniscus,” as the player’s knee had not been responding well to the operation of last summer. Club doctor Ramon Cugat, who carried out this operation, insisted that the previous two operations had been successful, asserting that “some knees respond well, and some badly.” However, he predicted a “long” recovery process, which could keep him out of action for “four, five or six” months.
It may be that Sam wants to get first option on Edmilson pending his recovery - and that would be a good deal for us - and we think worth the chance. Edmilson’s knee poses a potential problem in his departure from Barcelona - but any deal would have to depend on the doctors of the other club. Dr. Ramon Cugat, insisted that “if I was the one, I would clear him” - but that’s not altogether surprising coming from Barcelona’s club Doctor.
However, as we all know the world expert on knees and cruciate ligament injuries is the famed Dr. Richard Steadman, whose clinic is in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Steadman has operated on great players such as Ronaldo, Shearer and Ruud van Nistelrooy and has had them all back playing again at the top level. If Sam does the deal don’t be surprised if Edmilson is immediately dispatched to Dr. Steadman’s clinic for analysis - or dispatched and analyzed before the deal is even struck.
This is still good news we feel and will be a major coup for Sam and Newcastle if Allardyce can pull this one off. Sam must have been working his socks off these last few weeks - good for him - and very good for Newcastle.
Comments on this article welcome.
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46 responses so far ↓
1 Tony // Jun 28, 2007 at 13:41
great news for the club that we have signed david finannly, but the news of one more player today is exciting also, where has this news come from ?
2 Donaldo // Jun 28, 2007 at 13:43
I love the way the commentator shouts “Edmilson” when he shoots on pro evo !
3 dean // Jun 28, 2007 at 13:44
“The other interesting news today is that Rozehnal will be introduced this afternoon with one more player. Of course there is speculation galore that this could be Edmilson.”
What is the source for this info and where can i read it?
4 Neil Flannery // Jun 28, 2007 at 13:46
I hope for one we don’t get edmilson considering he had a knee op recently and won’t be fit for 6 months.
5 daniel // Jun 28, 2007 at 13:52
Edmilson is out for 6 months..
6 Ross G // Jun 28, 2007 at 13:53
u go that one more from me the other day, due to the delay in the Rozehnal transfer where is your originality? i mite as well write these articles
7 Hans // Jun 28, 2007 at 13:54
Magpies are going ro be really strong next season! Who is going to be your No.1 midfielder?
Great, that finally Sam took someone from Czech Republic, good luck to David Rozehnal
8 Donaldo // Jun 28, 2007 at 13:57
He gans EDDDDMILLLLLLLSON!!!!
9 Donaldo // Jun 28, 2007 at 13:57
He gans EDDDMILLLLLSON!!!!
10 Donaldo // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:03
Big sam should pull wor Shearer out of retirement , he love’s the oldies , mabye try and get gary gary gary lineker
11 domjoly // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:09
If we introduce both these players today this will be a massive step forward in creating a squad of decent players something both our previous managers failed to do for whatever reason.We still need to push on with finding the right players and im sure big sammy doing that.I would like us to find a solid left back and i confident sam can hunt on down
12 James // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:15
how about gary speed, steve watsonand howey and then even phillipe albert back on the toon
13 Donaldo // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:17
wey aye that be a reet dream team howay the goldin oldins
14 Donaldo // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:18
oooh and what about mike hooper fecking legend :S
15 Pete // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:27
Asprilla !
16 Joe // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:28
The way things are going, it seems like next season will be a really good season. Can these players gel tho ??
17 Ed Harrison // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:30
I think Sam has realized that to get instant success (at least to jump start Newcastle from last season’s disaster) you need experienced players that have shown they can do the job - and that’s one reason he is bringing in more experienced players - we still have a lot of youngsters at the club right now. We’ll just have to wait and see how thin turns out - but am knows he will be under instant pressure from Aug 9th to produce results,.
18 StevieA // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:30
Sams the man! Keep up the good work Sam.
It really feels as though the club is going places again! I am hoping for a top 7 finish next season to get back to where we belong. Signing the likes of Geremi, Rozenhal, Edmilson,Viduka and co can only help the cause.
He seems to be targetting quality international players and also hoping to get the best out of the likes of N’Zogbia and Luque. I think Sams the man for us.
As long as we can keep Martins and Owen then we could challenge the top 5 in a few years time. We have more ambition than Arsenal at the moment so why would they go there? Mark my words we will overtake Arsenal in the coming years. Henry is a massive loss to them.
19 Sean // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:31
The other player being introduced will be Geremi… think about it, guys.
20 Ed Harrison // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:31
I’ve added a lot more information on Edmilson’s knee injury - and what Sam’s actions could be on this. If he wants Edmilson - now’s the time to get him - while uncertainty exists - especially since he’s a free agent.
21 Ed Harrison // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:32
Sean - but this morning Sam said he hadn’t yet talked to Geremi - and he’s reported to be on holiday - and that it would take several more days. (?)
22 StevieA // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:33
Yeah I think Geremi is in the bag. Unless he has come to an arrangement with Edmilson?
It seems that he is tracking the free transfer market so we should end up with some bargains. I have never understood why we haven’t taken advantage of this market in the past rather than waste 10’s of millions on players like Luque. Luque is a quality player but the likes of him need a season or two to really adapt. Not left to rot in the reserves!
23 Donaldo // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:34
pete haha assprilla like ya style , and edmilson i wreckon its about as serious as oba’s first touch
24 StevieA // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:36
Also I think now would be the perfect time to get Steven Taylor signed up for another 5 years. Give the lad whatever he want’s he will save us a fortune!
25 Fredrik // Jun 28, 2007 at 14:45
Where is it said, that there is gonna be two players introduced today?
26 David // Jun 28, 2007 at 15:03
Sean - but this morning Sam said he hadn’t yet talked to Geremi - and he’s reported to be on holiday - and that it would take several more days. (?)
Ed - There were apparent sightings of him at the training ground!!
Also what is your source for two players being introduced today!?
27 nightfall // Jun 28, 2007 at 15:35
no..not edmilson…he’ll be out for the next 6 months and before he adjust to the PL he’ll be 32-33…plus, it’s not like we have unexperienced DM…
28 Pete // Jun 28, 2007 at 15:39
Agreed, Barton/Butt/Edgar should be enough. Can’t Emre play there at a push anyway?
29 steve // Jun 28, 2007 at 15:47
If there are two players then I’d imagine the ‘other player’ would be Geremi, given that BSA has actually said he’s talked to him and is interested.
I reckon he’ll be a good signing for us and disagree with the guy who reckons he’ll be another Babayaro
Be good if we can offload Baby and Carr (even for nowt)
30 Ed Harrison // Jun 28, 2007 at 16:01
Well - it’s 5pm and nothing - not even Rozehnal introduced.
31 Ed Harrison // Jun 28, 2007 at 16:03
David - who said there were apparent sightings of Geremi?
32 Fredrik // Jun 28, 2007 at 16:08
What is going on? I can`t think of a reason why Rozehnal is yet to be introduced as a Newcastle-player. Anyway, who said there would be “unveiled” 2 signings today?
33 David // Jun 28, 2007 at 16:27
Ed - http://www.nufc.com/
34 Ed Harrison // Jun 28, 2007 at 17:01
David - OK - my suspicion is people put 2+2 together - with Geremi in town and said two players would be unveiled - presumably Geremi and Rozehnal. Of course we have nobody.
35 Inara // Jun 28, 2007 at 18:27
Edmi was one of my favorite players during his days at Lyon. Such technique…he’d be hounded by two opponents and yet never simply boot the ball away - it was like watching a father play with his kids. Between him and Patrick Muller, it was the coolest-headed (we won’t say nonchalant ) backfield ever.
But it’s no secret that he isn’t the player he used to be, and if Allardyce should go for any Lyon affiliated player, I think Alou Diarra is better for a long term plan, plus more talented and strong enough for the Premiership. If Allardyce can work on his attitude, which is what the majority of Lyon fans agree is what his problem is, I think Diarra would do well for you.
36 StevieA // Jun 28, 2007 at 19:06
Gerimi is a utility player. His best position in my opinion is on the right wing.
When he was playing well for Boro he played on the wing mostly. He is quite a good right back mind and certainly an improvement on Carr!
I have a feeling that we will unveil 2 or 3 players at once. It will give the club a boost and it makes sense to show the signings in groups at a press conference. Probably Monday now!
37 Fredrik // Jun 28, 2007 at 19:38
I can`t wait to get a proper defence in order. It will be SWEET to finally have a decent defence in front of a new season, with a quality manager. I hope 2 or 3 defenders will be unveiled in the weekend.
38 joe // Jun 28, 2007 at 20:25
That doesn’t answer the question Ed! WHO is your source that there was supposed to be two players unveiled? Seems like you just made it up.
39 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 22:34
Just found this page…as a Barcelona fan I should point out that Edmilson is not a free agent, his contract only expires next summer. But you can have him if you pay 4-5 million pounds
40 Fergie // Jun 28, 2007 at 22:45
we don’t need Edmilson. and as for the skysports breaking news that we are in talks with barca for both edmilson and gudjohnsen….i am shocked. If we sgn gudjohnsen then it surely means that either owen or martins (perhaps both) will be leaving. This is a disgrace. If i had to pick one to sell, it would be owen. The age is a factor and despite the fact he might score more goals than oba, he just doesn’t entertain. I know people will say “would’nt you rather win something than play attractive football” and the answer is yes, but i think that oba is the more complete package and will almsot match owen in terms of goals whilst still bringing fans to the edge of their seats when he picks up the ball. He was one of the few glimmers of light last season and i would be appalled if he leaves, clause or no clause. He is the future of this club, along with others. I would like to keep owen as well, but if i had to choose, it would be oba every time.
LONG LIVE KING OBA
41 Steve B // Jun 28, 2007 at 23:30
I’m hoping that its going to be Ameobi that could be on his way out instead of owen if we sign gudjohnson. ameobi is useless and i cant seem him gettin any better!
42 Keep Oba // Jun 28, 2007 at 23:44
I like what Fergie is smoking…Keep Oba
43 WOOF // Jun 29, 2007 at 1:21
That didn’t take you long Ed
44 Greg B // Jun 29, 2007 at 11:52
Sky are reporting that Edmilson has ‘agreed in principal’ to sign for us!
It also says he is out for 6 moths so should be available by Christmas and also says a nominal fee is to be paid as his contract indeed runs out next season.
Great news.
45 StevieA // Jun 29, 2007 at 12:58
Sam is always looking for a quality deal. This would be a quality deal whether we only sign Edmilson or Gudjonsen. The difference with Sam is he always have a Plan B. Not just a Plan A then sign whoever he can last minute.
Edmilson I am guessing would cost around two million maybe one. Barca will let him go as they have plenty of players who can play in his position. Quality player though, he will shine in the premiership come October!
46 Kevin // Jun 29, 2007 at 13:00
I would love to see Newcastle get edmilson and geremi,
although I would hate to lose Micahel owen And Obafemi martins
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