Why Yohan Cabaye Should Stay at Newcastle United

Newcastle fans have been singing “Don’t sell Cabaye, Yohan Cabaye” all season long.

Last summer, Tottenham Hotspur’s reported interest set nerves jangling on Tyneside as the Londoners looked to replace Madrid-bound Luka Modric.

Fast-forward 10 months and the terrace chant has taken on greater significance in the face of fresh speculation that the Frenchman could be on his way out of St. James’ Park.

His alleged destination this time around is Manchester United, where new boss David Moyes is wasting little time in the transfer market ahead of his first season in charge.

The story sprang into life last week following Cabaye’s interview on French television channel Canal+, where the former Lille midfielder declared his admiration for the current Premier League champions, according to Talksport.

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I've liked this club for a long time. I like what they do. The boss has left but they have appointed a very good successor, and he did some very good things with Everton. They are always well placed among the big clubs. Yes, for sure it could be an interesting challenge.

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Cash-rich Ligue 1 clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco are also keeping an eye on the situation, and attempts to prize him away from Newcastle could now step up a gear.

There is nothing covert about Moyes’ bid to strengthen his options in central midfield, with Paul Scholes recently retiring, Darren Fletcher recovering from long-term injury and Tom Cleverly still viewed by many as a work in progress.

Beyond their lynchpin and Players’ Player of the Year Michael Carrick, whose campaign was described by outgoing boss Sir Alex Ferguson as his “best ever for Manchester United” on the official club website, Moyes’ options are limited in the centre of the park.

But given the season that Newcastle and their fans have just endured, is now the best time for the French international to consider leaving the club that brought him to England two years ago?

Safety from relegation was secured with a single game remaining after a difficult run that saw the Magpies win just two games away from home and leak 68 goals for the first time in their Premier League history.

Following a hugely successful introduction, and with his new club finishing fifth in the table, Cabaye’s performances came under scrutiny last term, and despite scoring six league goals, injury continuously interrupted his progress.

Fatigue following Euro 2012 was cited as the reason for his patchy form, but when the subject of depression surfaced in an interview with French sports paper L'Equipe, his manager Alan Pardew was quick to offer the club’s support.

And Pardew’s faith in Cabaye was further emphasised following a back injury to captain Fabricio Coloccini in late February, with the Frenchman handed the skipper’s armband 11 times in the latter stages of the season.

In a squad that includes over a dozen French-speaking players, including Cabaye’s best friend, Mathieu Debuchy, plus fellow internationals Moussa Sissoko and Hatem Ben Arfa, his role off the pitch has been of equal importance.

When five of those players arrived within a matter of weeks of each other during this year’s January transfer window, Pardew once again looked to his vice-captain, this time to act as something of a go-between.

Cabaye told Canal+: “At times when things were explained but they did not really get it, he would ask me to put the point across and translate. It was important for them to help them integrate. Yeah, I was his messenger.”

Top-flight managers do not hand out such responsibility lightly, and in Pardew’s eyes at least, Cabaye’s role extends way beyond that of a run-of-the-mill squad member.

The campaign that ended over three weeks ago was a tough one, with many of the Magpies’ stars failing to shine as brightly as they had during the previous season.

Frequently forced into more defensive duties, Cabaye’s creative instincts were often nullified, but his eye for goal and artistic ability to carve open the opposition are still vital components of his game.

And while interest from the champions would be enough to turn the heads of most players, his status within the corridors and in the stands at St. James’ Park should make him think twice.

Rediscovering his form will supply Cabaye with all the focus he needs this summer, and when he does, he owes it to the club and its loyal fans to do so in the black and white of Newcastle United.