Alan Pardew - I Have "No Interest" In Signing Coloccini
NUFC's captain looks like he is staying put...
Crystal Palace have taken the bizarre measure of releasing an official statement from Alan Pardew denying he is interested in signing Newcastle United captain Fabricio Coloccini. On Wednesday the south London club posted a "statement from the manager" in which Pardew made it clear he had "no interest" in Coloccini, despite constant media reports linking the defender with a move to Selhurst Park this summer. Coloccini has also been linked with a transfer to Greek side Olympiacos, and Palace's statement comes on the day after Toon boss Steve McClaren insisted the Argentine would remain on Tyneside. Palace released the following statement on their website from Pardew concerning Coloccini:
"Contrary to the rumours and reports circulating in the media, we want to confirm we have no interest in Fabricio Coloccini and although he remains my ex-captain and a great player, he will not be coming to Crystal Palace."Speaking during an hour-long radio fans phone-in on BBC Newcastle on Tuesday night, McClaren gave a long, convoluted answer before declaring that he did not want to unsettle everything and everybody by stripping Coloccini of the captaincy, and that he wanted the defender to remain on Tyneside The Argentine failed to play a single minute of pre-season football. However, McClaren is adamant Coloccini will continue to wear the captains armband at St James Park because the Argentine is proud to do so and wants to continue being skipper going forward. Speaking on BBC Newcastle, McClaren said of whether Coloccini would continue as skipper:
Hes always said from day one: Look this is the place I want to be, I know theres speculation but this is the place I want to be. I want to be at Newcastle United Football Club, Ive been captain, Im proud of that, and I want to carry on doing that. So weve had two or three weeks and weve sat down, and his choice is Newcastle United. He wants to stay here, he wants to commit to the club, commit to the team and (thats) what were trying to do so Im absolutely delighted with that. Do I need to change the captain? Why do I need to unsettle everything and everybody? Hes (Coloccinis) our most experienced player and he carries on.During the hour-long show, McClaren spoke about various things including the problems of pre-season and the American tour, as well as whether or not the Magpies would do any more business going forward. However, his most conclusive answer albeit eventually, after all the long spiel listed below was confirmation that Coloccini would remain his skipper going forward. Before his confirmation of Coloccini as captain, McClaren said (BBC Newcastle):
Thats been one for debate and obviously coming from the outside I always knew that was kind of a question mark. Weve gone through pre-season, Coloccinis always been the captain I think for seven years (actually four years) and hes the most experienced player. My dealings with him have been tremendous. I think whats disrupted this pre-season especially for Colo is the speculation about Crystal Palace. Is he going here? Is he going there? The speculation of this, the speculation of that. Ive just said to Colo: Look, lets work with each other for two or three weeks, see if I like you, see if you like me, see if we can get on. And we have done despite him not playing. Weve had to nurse him through but weve had long, long talks with all this speculation about Crystal Palace hes looking after his own future but from my understanding from all the talks he wants to be here.For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.