Euro 2012 kicks off in less than a week’s time and there will be plenty of interest for Newcastle United fans, with a couple of Alan Pardew’s squad in Poland and Ukraine, as well as some Newcastle transfer targets and some former Magpies.
While there aren’t any Newcastle players in Roy Hodgson’s England squad, fellow Group D nation France do have Newcastle representation in the form of midfielder Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa, who could well spoil England’s tournament in their opening game.
Probably of most interest for Newcastle fans will be watching the fortunes of some of the players that the Magpies have been linked with in recent weeks and seeing whether they impress, while possibly secretly hoping that they don’t and as a result that their price-tag doesn’t sky rocket!
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Alan Pardew previously told the Evening Chronicle that: “There are a couple of players we’re looking at in that tournament and, as far as I’m concerned, I hope they have an awful one!”
Pardew further said: “The valuations will go up and down – we’ll look at that. Someone’s reputations will go through the roof, and someone’s won’t. That might affect the price.”
Alan concluded: “Most clubs want to hold off to see how their players do. You all want the bonus of your player being the star, or having a big tournament.”
The Newcastle scouting team will be there in force along with scouts from the rest of the Premier League and Europe and there will always be some players who come from almost nowhere to have a great tournament.
Here are ten players who Newcastle fans will be closely watching in Euro 2012, comprising of current Newcastle players, former players and possible future stars.
