31 year-old Claudio Cacapa finally signed for Newcastle late yesterday, as expected, to make it a two day signing for the club with Alan Smith having signed earlier in the day.
The only real concern with Claudio was his fitness since he was out for most of last season with injury.
Cacapa trained all last week at Newcastle and the new Newcastle fitness team have been amazed at just how fit Cacapa is, even though he has practically done no pre-season work.
That’s in sharp contrast to most of the other Newcastle players because Sam has not been pleased with their level of fitness which he reckons is responsible for many of the injuries they have recieved.
Let’s see why Claudio could be nominated for captain by manager Sam Allardyce.
Claudio Capapa – so pleased to be at Newcastle – is he our next captain?
Cacapa captained Lyon for five seasons and is an experienced and successful footballer whom Gerrad Houllier, his former manager, speaks very highly of in an interview below.
Since Sam has said his new captain will probably come from outside the club, is Claudio the man to lead Newcastle forward in Allardyce’s new reign at the club? It does look like Cacapa is fit to play and will make his debut some time tomorrow against Sampdoria. A good display then could open the way for Sam to appoint Claudio the club captain before next season’s opener at Bolton.
After signing yesterday this is what Claudio told Newcastle World:
“I’ve been discussing with Newcastle and I’ve really wanted to come here for a long time.  I’ve been in Newcastle since last Sunday and I’ve really realized how big a club it is and I hope I will be as happy here as I was in Lyon.”
“I’ve spoken with Sam Allardyce and I’ve been very impressed and I want to play for him”
“I was at the Juventus match and even though it was only a friendly the fans were fantastic – they were shouting and singing and making lots of noise and I can’t wait to play at St, James’ Park.”
“It’s a massive club with huge potential and I want to be a part of that. I want a new challenge in a new country and the Premier league is a very competitive league”
“I’ve got a lot to prove because the fans don’t know me here but I want to show everyone that I am good enough to play for Newcastle United and I’m confident I can do that”
“My first club Athletico Maneiro played in black and white so I’m ready to be wearing the same colors
and I’m hoping it will bring a lot of luck like it did in Brazil.”
In an exclusive interview with the Evening Chronicle earlier this week Gerrard Houllier, his boss at Lyon said :
“Sam has spoken to me about Cacapa and I have told him that providing they can keep him fit, he will turn out to be a great signing for Newcastle United.â€
“Yes, we had a bit of a fall-out at Lyon last season, but this was because he had refused to sign a new contract.â€
“Now that he is joining Newcastle, they will be getting a very experienced defender which, I understand, is just what Sam is looking for.â€
Claudio also has a French passport, which means there is no problem about him playing in the Premiership. While Cacapa is a Brazilian he still fits the Allardyce type of player because he is a no-nonsense defender who likes to battle.
But just how early another Brazilian will arrive at Newcastle will depend on the injury situation. Looks like Sam will wait a while longer for Barcelona’s Edmilson. Big Sam will wait until the central defender is fit again from his right knee injury and will now be a potential target in the January transfer window. Good decision by Sam but we still need Edmilson at the club – he’s too good to pass up for the nominal fee he will cost. We expect Sam already has Edmilson ready to join Newcastle in january.
But by then we think Cacapa will be successfully captaining the club – what do you think?
Let us know – please keep comments civil – thanks.
15 comments so far
Dave
Aug 4, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Comment #1He’s GOT to be a contender for Captain. 31, good English, captained Lyon to silverware…I wouldn’t suprise me at all if this chap was wearing the armband against Bolton. 🙂
Soren
Aug 4, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Comment #2I also think he will be the captain when we beat bolton 🙂
TOON1
Aug 4, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Comment #3off the subject a minute ,sky sports -big sam confirmes interest in leighton baines!!
Craig Allen
Aug 4, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Comment #4I see he’s got the number 6 shirt … I wonder if Edmilson’s reserved #3 or if Sam’s looking to bring someone in … that also leaves #8 for that world class player … holding thumbs
George
Aug 4, 2007 at 11:41 AM
Comment #5His pedigree for captain is without doubt second to none. My only reservations would be, can he speak good english. And secondly, i would of thought a good knowledge of those around him, and trust from those around him would be important to fill such a void.
aaron
Aug 4, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Comment #6If we sign Enrique which looks likely, and drago then i don’t think baines will be required, both play left back and will cost around £6.5m. Cacapa looks like he could be a good captain, he’s very experianced and captained Lyon. Is his english good?
Greg B
Aug 4, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Comment #7Great signing, just had a read up on his career in France, very well thought of, commited and a very good organiser on and off the pitch. Captain? Maybe.
On the other major story today, Owen to miss start of season.
A mate of mine (Liverpool fan) having a laugh, ‘Owen injured again eh?’ I had to politley remind him that we only have Viduka, Martins, Smith, Carroll and Ameobi left to pick from. Lets just say his smile turned to a frown. 🙂
Great stuff, the last couple of seasons whoever was fit played, now with Allardyce, quality signings, better training, fitness programs and a bit of depth in the squad (particulary if we get Dragutinovic, Enrique etc) the players will have to fight for their places.
Only guaranteed starters if fit in my opinion will be Given, Milner and Owen.
Any other thoughts?
Greg B
Aug 4, 2007 at 12:09 PM
Comment #8BTW Craig Im sure the new left back will get the #3 shirt. Probably Dragutinovic. I though Smith may have took the #8 but as Dyer is still a Newcastle player its still his.
I read somewhere that Dyer said he would never play for us again after all the trouble (eggs etc) so if he dosent get his move for whatever reason will we be paying him 80k a week for sitting in the stands? It appears Sam sees Smith as Dyers replacement so Dyer is in a bit of an awkward situation if West Ham or Spurs fail to meet Ashleys valuation of him.
firehead
Aug 4, 2007 at 12:09 PM
Comment #9plus cacapa has brazil caps so i think he would be perfect for or captain place
firehead
Aug 4, 2007 at 12:11 PM
Comment #10wat about jose enreque from villareal
Craig
Aug 4, 2007 at 1:02 PM
Comment #11If he can speak good English, then fair enough. If not, then theres not much point in him captaining the side. Great capture though, was very good for Lyon in the Champions League a couple of seasons ago. Meanwhile, the left back spot is really puzzling me at the minute. We have ‘Drago’ who has publically said this is a great financially opportunity for him – therefore, i’m assuming personal terms have been discussed. Then there is young Enrique who is apparently on his way for 4 million. And just today same confirmed his interest in Baines. There no wat we’ll get all three, unless he sacks of baba 🙂 and plays ‘Drago’ centre half. The two foreigners would be the cheapest option but Baines has undoubted quality and will be in the England side sooner enough. What does everybody else think about this?
Ed Harrison
Aug 4, 2007 at 2:30 PM
Comment #12Greg B – we haven’t even done the story on Owen being injured – becasue we think it’s not a bif problem for us on the filed – of course we are paying Michael a huge wage and it would be nice to have him available.
Really like the look of the Carroll – Martins pairing – it seems Oba just loves playing with Andy – and it shows – intersting to see who starts up front tomorrow. Carroll is looking even too good to let go on loan – he could become a super star – and if he develops well he has the make and play of a true Geordie center forward like Shearer and Milburn. Sam must be wondering how he became involved with all these potentially great players – like a kid in a candy store.
stk
Aug 4, 2007 at 3:11 PM
Comment #13get all three, dargo, enrique and baines!
Rich
Aug 4, 2007 at 3:41 PM
Comment #14Capaca, what a player… im soo happy he signed for us and by the looks of this pictures on NUFC.co.uk of him he looks well happy too…
i still hope we get Baines and Diop or something along those lines.
Greg B
Aug 4, 2007 at 4:58 PM
Comment #15Spot on Ed, Owens injury is maybe a relief in a way for Allardyce, with it being only a minor injury. Obviously would be a big problem is it was more serious.
However Martins and Carroll have both done well pre-season, Viduka is due a start tomorrow and Smith will be raring to go. Bit of a selection headache if Owen was vying for a start too.
My only worry if for Ameobi as I now think Carroll should be ahead of him in the pecking order, Carroll has taken his oportunity with both hands and not only impressed Allardyce but also Ranieri and Buffon to boot.
Our main 3 strikers will be Martins, Owen and Viduka IMO with Smith as a back up option (think he will mainly play attcking midfield for us) and Carroll on stand by. I honestly cant see where Ameobi fits into the equasion. Viduka and Carroll are the big lads, Owen and Martins the quick men and Smith gives us something else. Ameobi has nothing to offer that we dont already have.
Maybe a quick sale? I reckon we could get a couple of million for the lad as he isnt too bad, maybe sell him to the Mackem’s to partner Rocky Chopra 🙂
Anyone think Shola has a part to play this season or will he be on his way?