Emre Belozoglu 05/08

[fenerbahcenewcastleunited]

It recently caught my eye that 37 year old Emre is still kicking and starting in 11 in almost every game for the Turkish club Basaksehir (Had Emre's last minute freekick not hit the post against Sevilla, we would have seen him play in the Champions League this season)
Guy was called up for Turkish National team in the World Cup Qualifications.

I am very curious to learn more about his career. Any senior Newcastle fans who could enlighten me on Emre's time with Newcastle? What were your opinions on him at the time? To me he seems like one of the top defensive midfielders in Europe with great pace and pass & shot accuracy.

What can you say about him as fans who had seen him play???

Thank You

[Aldridge Prior]

Was quite good for us, a bit like Joey Barton but better in every aspect. Quicker and with more of an eye for goal.

Also incredibly racist, which tarnishes otherwise good memories.

[Toondes]

He was one of my favourites back in the day. Excellent free kick taker but had a temper on him

[TBC]

Funny how the years can cloud memories, I always remember him for feigning injuries to avoid playing and generally being one of the mercenaries we were known for signing in those days.

[overseasTOON]

I was never a great fan of his to be honest.

He had some good games and good moments whilst here but in the main he was fairly average.

[Heisen]

He was ok but never fulfilled his potential, at least when he was with us. Few decent free kicks and could be good when he wanted to be but more often than not could just never be arsed and was always injured.

In my head he suffers from being brought in almost as a replacement for Robert, who is still my favourite ever NUFC player.

[Colly]

Funny how the years can cloud memories, I always remember him for feigning injuries to avoid playing and generally being one of the mercenaries we were known for signing in those days.

Really? I feel like I was old enough to know better by that point and remember him as a genuinely talented all round centre mid, and I can't think of many since that are better. I was always disappointed that his partnership with Scott Parker didn't quite live up to promise (both were kind of box to box but they never quite worked out when to hold and when to go, so we ended up very defensive), but thought he was a fantastic player. It was only when he was back in Turkey and the racism storm kicked up that I had any negative views on him. Still got that lovely dark blue 3rd shirt with his name on.

[beardface]

I remember being so excited when we signed him

I don’t think he ever quite hit the heights he was capable of here. I seem to remember him missing a lot of games but I don’t know if that was due to injury or being out of favour?

[lassassinblanc]

Had his moments the free kick to win the derby.

But as few have said a lot of injuries and was accused of racism a few times at Newcastle but nothing proven by FA he would of course be found guilty while in Turkey

[ALF]

Was a good footballer, technically very decent. Him and Parker had fantastic potential as a partnership but never really reached the heights it could have done. Still, was a big fan of his and think he did well here.

[bodacious benny]

He was ok but never fulfilled his potential, at least when he was with us. Few decent free kicks and could be good when he wanted to be but more often than not could just never be arsed and was always injured.

This.

Also, similar could be said about HBA.

[beardface]

He was ok but never fulfilled his potential, at least when he was with us. Few decent free kicks and could be good when he wanted to be but more often than not could just never be arsed and was always injured.

This.

Also, similar could be said about HBA.

[TBC]

Funny how the years can cloud memories, I always remember him for feigning injuries to avoid playing and generally being one of the mercenaries we were known for signing in those days.

Really? I feel like I was old enough to know better by that point and remember him as a genuinely talented all round centre mid, and I can't think of many since that are better. I was always disappointed that his partnership with Scott Parker didn't quite live up to promise (both were kind of box to box but they never quite worked out when to hold and when to go, so we ended up very defensive), but thought he was a fantastic player. It was only when he was back in Turkey and the racism storm kicked up that I had any negative views on him. Still got that lovely dark blue 3rd shirt with his name on.

Not sure if I’m reading this wrong or you’re trying to say something

Different opinions anyway I guess

[Colly]

Just that I don't think the years are clouding my memories, that was the back end of the period we could actually afford quality players and he was certainly one in my book.

[bodacious benny]

This.

Also, similar could be said about HBA.

What's not true?

[Graw]

Had his name on my shirt in 2006/7 season he was my fav player at the time. Scored some class goals and was a quality player tbh (when he wanted to be), seem to remember him getting injured alot though but everyone who played for us seemed to.

[biggeordiedave]

I always remember him being streets ahead of most of our other players and looking permanently frustrated that his teammates weren't on his wavelength.

[PTAO?]

Probably my favourite player of that era after Shearer left

[Heisen]

Probably my favourite player of that era after Shearer left

[PTAO?]

Probably my favourite player of that era after Shearer left

Looks like his head has been photoshopped above the eyes