Joey Barton’s time as a Newcastle United player has apparently come to an end, again.
So why have the Tyneside club decided to release a player who on current form should be playing for England ?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m embarrassed to see a player with Barton’s past in a Newcastle United shirt and it would be a sad day if he was to add to his one International Cap but that doesn’t change the fact that he is one of the most talented Englishman playing in the Premiership.
Barton made his debut for Manchester City in April 2003 at the age of 20 and played nearly 150 games in 5 years for the club.
In 2004 Barton stubbed a Cigar in a team mates face at a Christmas party and the following summer attacked a 15 year old Everton fan on the clubs pre-season tour of Thailand.
On the 1st of May 2007 Barton was involved in a training ground incident in which teammate Ousmane Dabo was assaulted and he was subsequently charged by Greater Manchester Police.
While on bail he was signed by Sam Allardyce in June 2007 for a fee of £5.5m and the player himself is understood to have received £300,000 as part of the deal, becoming the second player to join Newcastle United following Mike Ashley’s takeover of the club.
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Less than 6 months later on Boxing Day the midfielder was caught on CCTV assaulting 2 people on a night out in Liverpool and subsequently spent 11 weeks in prison.
Barton admitted having an Alcohol problem and has been treated by Sporting Chance, the charity set up by Tony Adams.
In May 2009 Barton was sent off in a match against Liverpool and subsequently banned for the final games of the season which saw Newcastle United relegated from the Premier League.
A dressing room bust up with caretaker manager Alan Shearer followed and Barton’s Newcastle United career appeared to be over when he was suspended and told not to return to the club.
Despite this he was recalled to the team under Chris Houghton the following season and played a leading role in winning the Championship. His form continued to improve and last season he was Newcastle’s most influential player.
Barton has 12 months remaining on the 5 year contract he signed in 2007 and despite initial indications a new contract had been agreed Newcastle United announced in May that an agreement had not been reached and the player would not be offered an improved contract.
Since taking over the club Mike Ashley has made no secret of his refusal to pay unsustainable wages and is believed to be unwilling to match Barton’s demands considering his past record.
Most clubs would be unwilling to buy a player available for free at the end of next season especially as they may have to terminate his contract the next time he is arrested.
Barton has been outspoken throughout this career and his continued sniping at the clubs top brass has finally seen them lose patience with a player who has had far more chances than he deserved.
Newcastle United has decided Joey Barton can leave immediately on a Free Transfer rather than waiting until the end of his contract.
Liverpool are rumoured to be keen to renew his partnership with Andy Carroll and Tottenham are also believed to be on the long list of clubs looking to sign him.
Most Premier League Chairman would be reluctant to let one of their best players join a rival team on a free transfer but Mike Ashley can never be accused of being predictable.
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