Source: Northern_Echo
Bassong big loss for United
TOTTENHAM centre-back Sebastien Bassong would have stayed at Newcastle if Alan Shearer was given the managers job, Harry Redknapp has revealed.
Bassong was one of the few players to impress at St James Park last season and the 23-year-old wanted to move for the sake of his career when Newcastle lost their Barclays Premier League status.
Shearer and assistant Iain Dowie spoke highly of Bassong to Redknapp in April after Newcastle were defeated at White Hart Lane, with the Magpies caretaker boss at the time insisting he would keep the centre-back at any cost.
When we played Newcastle last year I spoke to Iain Dowie and Alan Shearer after the game and they spoke about the team, they were in desperate trouble, Redknapp said.
Iain said if they didnt stay at the club and one player did become available, Sebastien was the player to take. They couldnt have recommended him any higher.
Alan as well. He said if I stay at the club there is no way hell ever leave. Alan didnt get the job and he (Bassong) was the first person we went for. Hes a young player with a fantastic future. Bassong, who cost Redknapp £8m, was born in France but made his debut for Cameroon this week. After his chaotic year at Newcastle, he believes he will be challenging for a European place at Spurs.
When we went down it would be very difficult for me to stay at Newcastle, he said.
I made my choice. There was interest from other clubs but when I heard about Tottenham my choice was made.
We have the players and the squad to finish in the first part of the table, maybe sixth.
We can fight to have a good season. Bassong is set to make his Spurs debut against Liverpool tomorrow following a clarification of the Football Associations rules on suspension.
He was sent off in the penultimate game of the season, meaning he missed the defeat at Aston Villa that sent Newcastle down.
There was an assumption he would be suspended for one game when he joined Spurs but because Newcastle have already played a match this season he is free to face Rafael Benitezs men.
