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‘They wanted me to be the next Shearer’ – Obafemi Martins opens up on wearing number 9 shirt at Newcastle
Pulse Sports
4 minutes
Former Nigeria international Obafemi Martins has reflected on the difficulties he encountered while playing for Newcastle United.
Despite being hampered by numerous injuries throughout his career, Martins still managed to have a successful footballing journey.
Obafemi Martins moved to Newcastle United in 2006 for £10.1 million. The move came after he became dissatisfied at Inter Milan following the arrivals of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Hernan Crespo.
At 21, Martins joined the Premier League and was immediately under scrutiny, particularly after taking over the famous No. 9 jersey previously worn by the legendary Alan Shearer.
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Martins reflects on his Newcastle career
Martins asserted that despite a challenging start and considerable pressure during his three-year tenure at St. James’ Park, he consistently gave his utmost.
Speaking with Football Fans Tribe, he said, “Leaving Inter Milan to go to Newcastle United, I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task and I remember my first game, I got injured.
Former Nigeria international Obafemi Martins || Imago
Former Nigeria international Obafemi Martins || Imago
“Back then, as a striker, if you didn’t score in two or three games, you’d already start feeling sad. It wasn’t easy at all playing as the number 9.
“I took Shearer’s number 9 shirt, so the pressure alone is high. They wanted me to be the next Shearer, to score more goals. But I did my part and I moved on.”
As a Newcastle United player, the former Super Eagles star contributed to 45 goals (35 goals and 10 assists) in 104 appearances across all competitions.
Throughout his remarkable career, Martins also played for Reggiana, Vfl Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City, Levante, Seattle Sounders, Shanghai Shenhua, and Wuhan.
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Theo Walcott says Newcastle United want to sign a player who ‘reminds’ him of Alan Shearer
Liam Brusby
4 – 5 minutes
Newcastle United are set to be busy in the summer transfer window, with Paul Mitchell expected to bring new faces to the club.
The Magpies have gone three transfer windows without making any meaningful additions to their squad due to lingering concerns over PSR. However, this summer is due to be a big one for Newcastle United after positive financial accounts and player sales.
Elliot Anderson left Newcastle last summer in a move that generated pure profit for the club. Anderson did not want to leave Newcastle but understood that it was the right thing to in order to avoid a points deduction.
On Paul Mitchell’s for the summer is a striker. Newcastle are linked with Jonathan Burkardt from Mainz, but the Magpies may look more domestically to find a proven Premier League goalscorer.
Recent reports have suggested that they have already found their ideal target, and Theo Walcott completely agrees after making a brilliant comparison to Newcastle legend Alan Shearer.
READ MORE: Who is Alan Shearer? Stats, Height, Wife, Daughter, Net Worth
Photo by Cameron Smith – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Cameron Smith – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Theo Walcott praises Newcastle United target Liam Delap
Despite playing for an Ipswich Town side that has been lacklustre for most of the season, Liam Delap has been a shining light for Kieran McKenna’s side.
The 22-year-old has scored 12 Premier League goals this season, most recently adding to his tally in a 2-1 defeat to Wolves earlier in April.
Newcastle are interested in signing Delap this summer, with the striker a big contender to play either alongside or as second-choice to Alexander Isak. It was revealed that Newcastle must pay £30m for Delap this summer, a fee that the Magpies should be able to afford without issue.
Delap was praised by Wayne Rooney for his performances earlier this season, with the Manchester United legend stating that it is no surprise so many clubs want to sign him. Now, Walcott has given Delap his flowers in a recent Premier League show.
“Liam Delap is a player who actually reminds me of a Newcastle player,” he said.
“(He reminds me of) Alan Shearer a little bit if I’m going to compare him to someone because of his stature, his hunger to bully defenders. He doesn’t care if you’re playing the top teams; we’ve seen that this year already.
“I think as well, the amount of goals he’s scored in a struggling Ipswich side at times shows his character that he actually believes he’s always going to have an opportunity. I think that’s one thing as well, giving him that opportunity, he takes things quick.
“People forget how powerful he is, and I like the fact that he’s a bit of an old school, bringing it back (kind of player).”
Newcastle United fans will see Liam Delap at St James’ Park soon
Newcastle travel to Aston Villa on Saturday evening in what is a huge game in the race for Champions League football. After that, the Magpies will return to St James’ Park for one of three more home games this season.
The first of those will come against Ipswich on 26 April, where fans will get a glimpse of Delap, who could be playing in a black and white shirt next season. The Magpies have already played Ipswich this season at Portman Road, where star striker Isak scored a hat-trick.
Liam Delap 2024/25 Statistics (League)
Appearances 31
Goals 12
Assists 2
While Mitchell and Howe are interested in the striker, Delap may not want to join Newcastle if he is not given consistent first-team football upon signing.
The form of Isak means it will be difficult for any top striker to break into the starting XI next season, something both Howe and Mitchell must be wary of ahead of the upcoming tran
sfer window.
