NEWCASTLE fans hope misfiring No 9 Joelinton can do a Papiss Cisse against Chelsea on Saturday.
Brazilian striker Joelinton has found the burden of the Magpies’ famous shirt hard to handle, going 20 games without a goal before scoring in the midweek FA Cup victory over Rochdale.
Papiss Cisse claims his famous Premier League goal at Chelsea in 2012 had an element of fortune
Cisse scored that unforgettable goal from this seemingly impossible angleCredit: Sky Sports
Toon folk hero Cisse — who downed Chelsea with two stunners at Stamford Bridge in 2012 — knows all about the pressure to produce while wearing the same number as Geordie legends Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Shearer.
In an exclusive interview, the Senegal striker reveals how Alan Pardew almost talked him out of wearing the No 9 shirt after he signed for £8million.
Cisse revealed: “I didn’t understand. He showed me Alan Shearer’s goals and I said ‘Oh my God! I cannot let this number down’.”
The 34-year-old is still adored on Tyneside.
And it all comes back to him as he sits in the back of a car, zooming through the streets of Turkish town Alanya, screaming at his driver.
‘IT HAPPENED ONLY ONCE’
On his way to have an MRI scan after training with Super Lig side Alanyaspor, the beginning to our phone call is met with chaos before the sincerest of apologies.
“I am very sorry. I was speaking to my driver. He was going way too fast,” he said in a more familiar, hushed tone.
This is more like the Cisse we remember and grew to love during his 3½-year spell with Newcastle – charming, articulate but with a pinch of delightful lunacy.
And it is that offbeat edge that saw him attempt — and pull off — one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever goals at the Bridge eight years ago.
Team-mate Shola Ameobi laid it off on the left-hand side of the box, before Cisse’s first-time volley with the outside of his boot curled it away from Petr Cech and into the top corner.
With the sides meeting again on Saturday evening, this time at St James’ Park, Cisse remains staggered it found the net.
He laughed as he admitted: “For a lot of people, they say the Chelsea goal is my best — me too.
Chelsea legend John Terry looks on as Papiss Cisse nets his second goal
“It happened only one time in my career and it happened to me, thank God.
“But it was so, so lucky. I shot and it went in.
“Sometimes this happens and the ball goes in somehow.
“I think Chelsea fans hate me for it. I always seemed to score against them and on that occasion I scored two goals, the last one being the best.
“I arrived at Newcastle knowing I had to score and prove myself in those first six months — and I guess Chelsea were the victims of that.
“I was very confident. I can say it was lucky but I did it!”
TURNED DOWN BAYERN MUNICH
A fluke that perhaps defines his career in England and, looking back on his upbringing in Senegal, it is fair to say it was a series of flukes and good fortune that got him to Tyneside in the first place.
Cisse grew up not wanting to be a footballer but an ambulance driver and went on to fulfil that dream before being encouraged to swap it for a better life.
His career change paid off, earning him moves to France and Germany before attracting the attention of Bayern Munich in January 2012.
Cisse said: “I was supposed to sign for Bayern. I was the second top scorer in the Bundesliga the season before with Freiburg and they wanted to pair me with Mario Gomez.
“But they wanted me to join up with the team in America for the winter break and I declined so I could play in the African Cup of Nations.
“One week after I get to Senegal to prepare, I get a call from my agent, saying, ‘Newcastle want you — fly to England right away to have the medical’.”
He joined the Toon on January 17 for £8million and scored the winner on his debut in a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on February 5.
That was the start of an incredible record-breaking run of 13 goals in 12 games under boss Alan Pardew.
Cisse admitted: “Alan was like my dad. He showed me everything and prepared me.
“In my mind, the only way I could say thank you to him was to fight on the pitch.
“When I decided to choose the No 9, Alan told me the story of the No 9s. He kept asking me ‘Are you sure you want this number?’. I didn’t understand.
“He showed me videos of all Alan Shearer’s goals and I said, ‘Oh my God! I want to be like this man. I cannot let this number down’.”
After finishing the season in fifth, Newcastle’s slide started before their relegation in 2016.
Injured Cisse was a big miss in that final campaign and he regrets not having Rafa Benitez as manager for longer.
He said: “Maybe if he had come earlier the team would have been safe.
“If you are with him then you learn a lot. He shows you what football really is.”
Cisse is still angry at their drop to the Championship — and even more so at the way he was sold to China.
He said: “I wanted to stay and fight to get us back in the Premier League.
“I spoke to my agent but the club said I should take the money elsewhere.
“They wanted to take a big salary off the books and I understand that. At least I saw the team go back to the Prem. I am so happy for them.”
His heart is still on Tyneside — he checks the Prem scores on his phone — and believes Steve Bruce can keep them away from danger.
On talk of a potential return to Toon, Cisse added: “I am still playing so you never know in the future.
“Whether I am playing or not, one day I will go back.”
And when asked if he would get on a plane tomorrow if the call came, the lunacy in his voice returned.
He beamed: “Directly! Yes of course. It is Newcastle United.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
