Everybody knows how Alan Pardew loves a French player, but he seems to have a particular fancy for former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere, having signed him on loan for West Ham and since tried to entice him to St. James Park on two occasions. Quite what he sees in him is anyones guess, considering all the Frenchman ever had was pace. His strike record of 14 league goals in 128 games is testament to that fact. Nonetheless, when Andy Carroll was snatched from Pardews grasp seconds before the transfer window slammed shut, he scoured the free agents list before landing on the 27 year old speedster.
''It is a possibility. We have to explore every avenue. We are short on bodies. - Alan Pardew, February 2011.
Instead, Aliadiere wasnt needed as Newcastles prayers were answered when Shefki Kuqi rode into town on the back of a winged horse. The club would return for the Frenchman two years later, however, following the first goal-laden season of his career - bagging 15 in 31 appearances for Lorient. However, with the French club refusing to sell their star striker, Newcastle were left to move on to other targets, namely Bordeauxs Yoann Gourcuff. As predicted, Aliadieres first double-digit season was a one-off, failing to repeat his exploits the following term before moving to Qatar this summer.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
