Supporters of Newcastle United have been reacting to an update regarding Moroccan defender Achraf Lazaar from ChronicleLive reporter Mark Douglas.
On Wednesday, Douglas shared an update to social media which carried quotes from an interview with the player by Tuttomercatoweb.
The 28-year-old left-back has stated that he is ‘negotiating’ his exit from St. James’ Park and has stated that he is looking ‘to the future with optimism’.
Lazaar went on to admit that: “It’s a team [Newcastle] that hasn’t valued me as I deserved and I don’t think it would do it this year. I feel ready, fit, ready to play. It will be my year.”
Following the Twitter post from Mark Douglas relaying the comments, lots of Toon fans aired their thoughts.
Achraf Lazaar one of those on his way out – says "negotiating" his exit.
Has told Tuttomercato web: "It's a team that hasn't valued me as I deserved and I don't think it would do it this year. I feel ready, fit, ready to play. It will be my year."
— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) September 9, 2020
“As I deserved”. Sounds a bit egoistical to me. Considering two managers never even considered, he clearly mustn’t be good enough.
— Callum Irving (@NUFCIrving1010) September 9, 2020
Strong words from someone who has made 31 league appearances in 4 years for 4 clubs, never hitting double figures for any of the clubs…
— Cal (@crxigzz) September 9, 2020
Totally forgot he played for us ???
— Vigorous Pigeon (@youngin_uk) September 9, 2020
The defender has been situated at St. James’ Park since the summer of 2016 after he signed for the Toon from Palermo for £2.57m (per Transfermarkt).
Since his arrival, the left-back has made just 10 first-team appearances – in which, he neither scored nor assisted for Newcastle.
Has Achraf Lazaar been given a fair chance by Newcastle?
No, he should stay
Yes, he should go
He couldn’t even get a game in Serie B last year ?
— Lee Thompson (@Thomp1984) September 9, 2020
Not Premier League standard.
— Dean Woods (@wuds100) September 9, 2020
good riddance
— Alex W (@NUFC_AIex) September 9, 2020
Speaking on his future in the interview with Tuttomercatoweb, Lazaar stated you have to be a ‘complete player’ to ‘enter English football’.
That then led the defender to state: “I have entered it and this means that I have all the credentials to become a great player.”
Know he hasn’t had many chances but he obviously hasn’t impressed in training or the limited minutes he’s been given. He’s hardly been great on his loans either
— DaveC1992 (@DaveC1992) September 9, 2020
Unbelievable arrogance given his lack of performance on loans. Get shot, a very, very poor signing.
— Craig Armstrong (@DrCraigArm) September 9, 2020
The sooner he’s gone the better… #NUFC https://t.co/1yXUvLD5DK
— ?????? ??????? ?? (@StevenNUFC) September 9, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Newcastle supporters, they are clearly not overly bothered about Lazaar’s talk of leaving the Toon in the near future.