Is he any good?

Are we now buying South Americans in pairs so that they have someone to talk to?

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

Answers

I guess the reality is that we don't have a clue about the felly. Same as the press, though at least we can have the humility to say so. Reports I've read have him variously described as 'the new Ginola' and 'not yet the finished article/one for the future'. The lad's aged 25/26 !! So what do you get for 500K p.a ? I guess we're about to find out, though I wouldn't bet any serious money that he starts more than a handful of games, with maybe a few more appearances off the bench. I just pray he isn't this season's Fumaca.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2000

There'll definitely be a Latin American feel to Tyneside this season, what with Solano, Gavilan, Bassedas and now Cordone - all Spanish speakers rather than Portuguese. I wonder what Bobby's Spanish is like?

I think the Argentinian/Paraguayan/Peruvian contingent will be better suited to English football than the Brazilians - it's a physical game in Argentina.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

He hasn't turned up for his medical yet and United are reported to be fearing another episode like the Lovenkrnads deal. The press have been giving this one major publicity and we haven't signed him yet, when will we learn?

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

It's a loan deal at the moment so I wouldn't panic too much about being gazumped again.

Any nicknames for wor Danny when he arrives? Surely 'the Godfather' would be (almost) appropriate...Cordone / Corleone??? No?

I'll get me anorak...

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Bobby,

I'd get a Parker if I was you. You know so you can zip the hood right up and look like Cyril Sneer out of the racoons! Taxi's on it's way!

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Or we could just call him "The Don"......

Bobby....wait up.....

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

The Don? Nah, that's for Carl Cort when he arrives.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Bobby Robson calls Pistone into his office. He beckons him over to the desk and gestures to him to lean in close.

"Alessandro, my business associate Walter Smith has made me an offer I can not refuse. Tonight you sleep with a fishy, on his little dishy, when the boat comes in."

p.s. It can be confusing dealing with the Geordie mafia.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Bobby's Spanish must be OK - remember he was at Barcelona! I've seen him at the training ground speaking Spanish to Gavilan.

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Aye Steph, but how often does asking for extra paella ever come into use in day to day training? :-)

Surely Carl Cort should be "the beak"? No? Ok....

Gav, this cab firm's crap...

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

Sorry Bobby....didn't see you standing next to the public toilets there....I've been waiting for this cab all day and they still haven't turned up!!

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

OK, so what about calling him Bobby? And if that's too obtuse, simply Police Cordone. Hold that cab for me, I'm just getting my coat.......

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

.......or Bennett??

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

How about ... bleu . Sorry for lowering the standards (if thats possible ) . ; - )

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

[SPO] [ACD] [RNP] [DNP] [PGS] [EMK] [SOCC] [GB] [IT] [AR] [LEN] [RTRS]

By Jeremy Butler NEWCASTLE, England, June 27 (Reuters) - Newcastle expect to complete the 500,000 pounds ($746,900) loan signing of Argentinian striker Daniel Cordone in the next 24 hours. The 25-year-old arrived at St James's Park on Tuesday for a medical after United agreed a fee with Argentinian side Racing Club for a one-year loan. At the end of the loan period Newcastle have the option of buying Cordone for two million pounds ($2.99 million). United general manager Russell Cushing said: "Daniel is having a medical today and unless there are any last-minute hiccups we are hoping to conclude the deal in the next 24 hours". Cordone will join fellow Argentinian Christian Bassedas at Newcastle after the midfielder signed for the Magpies last month. The two arrivals have left frustrated striker Temuri Ketsbaia admitting his Newcastle career may be over. The 32-year-old Georgian international said: "At this stage of my career I have to be playing first team football and with more strikers coming to the club I don't think that will be possible. So now I have to start looking for a new club to play for next season." Meanwhile, Newcastle's Italian under-21 left-back Alessandro Pistone will hold talks with Everton manager Walter Smith in the next 24 hours to discuss a move to Goodison Park. The clubs have already agreed a transfer fee of 3.0 million pounds ($4.48 million). ($1=.6694 Pound)

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

From today's Ronnie:

Cordone flies in to seal deal

Alan Oliver

ARGENTINIAN striker Daniel Cordone jetted into Tyneside today to sign for Newcastle United, (writes ALAN OLIVER).

The Chronicle revealed on June 15 that United had agreed a #500,000 deal with Racing Club that would see the 25-year-old striker spend a year at St James's Park on loan.

Then United would have the option of buying Cordone for #2 million at the end of next season.

United general manager Russell Cushing said today: "Daniel is having a medical today - and unless there are any last-minute hiccups we are hoping to conclude the deal in the next 24 hours."

Cordone cannot fail to have been impressed with his new surroundings with the latest development at St James's rapidly nearing completion.

Cordone will return to South America where he will no doubt talk to United's other buy and fellow Argentinian Christian Bassedas.

The two will be on Tyneside when United report for training on July 11.

Nice one Alan!

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

So how about adopting a really radical name for him....like Daniel or Danny.

Send that cab up Long Lane when it arrives Bobby

-- Anonymous, June 27, 2000

DANIEL Cordone signed for Newcastle United - and told Bobby Robson: "I'm no bad boy."

The 26-year-old striker was banned by the Argentinian FA for allegedly throwing his shirt at the fans of his former club Velez Sarfield in a bad-tempered game with Racing Club.

But in an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, Cordone told me today: "I did not do what I have been accused of.

"But I have served my ban and I am completely free to play for Newcastle United from the start of the season."

And he predicted that United's other Argentinian signing Christian Bassedas will be a big hit at St James's Park.

"Christian and I were together at Velez Sarfield for three seasons and he is a good player," said Cordone. "He has signed a four-year deal for Newcastle and my aim is to try and stay here with him.

"This is my first time in England and I have had a look around the ground and I could not have been more impressed. "I have also been impressed by Bobby Robson and the Newcastle United management team in the way they have conducted the deal.

"The weather has also been kind on my visit here, especially as it is only 10 degrees back in Argentina at the moment."

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

Oops! Don't know what happened to the photo but you can see what he looks like on the Ronnie sports page!

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

Try again!

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

Give up! :-(

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000

"The weather has also been kind on my visit here, especially as it is only 10 degrees back in Argentina at the moment."

The lads in for a shock come December - weather kind - tee hee.

Any way he's the Wolf at home so Wolf be it - anybody who adds a bit of bite to the attack . . . . . . .

-- Anonymous, June 28, 2000