Colo: "I'm Staying And Will Give 100 Per Cent"

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

 

Fabricio Coloccini has pledged his "100 per cent" commitment to Newcastle United for the remainder of the season, as he bids to lead the Magpies to Premier League safety.

The skipper has found himself and his future on Tyneside under intense scrutiny in recent weeks as he addresses personal problems.

But Coloccini insists it has not affected his focus or performances in the black and white striped shirt, and spoke passionately about his desire to improve United's current fortunes.

"The last few weeks there has been a lot of talk about my future," the Argentine centre-back told nufc.co.uk, ahead of Tuesday's Premier League fixture at Aston Villa.

"But I am staying here. And of course I will give 100 per cent like I always do.

"I have been here five years and Newcastle has given me a lot and done a lot for me. I have to be true to the club. I will give 100 per cent.

"I love football and once I am on the pitch it is different. The problems I have are outside the pitch.

"I think if you look at a game like Norwich or the last few games I have played normally. The results were not the best but I have given everything to try to win.

"I heard in the city and around the club that the fans think I have my head elsewhere thinking about other things, or that I am not the same player as last season.

"But, like I say, for me football is my life, I love it. When I am on the pitch I give everything to win.

"I give 100 per cent. I did that at Newcastle, Deportivo La Coruna or any club I've played at.

"The fans have to know and be sure that when I am the field I give 100 per cent.  I am the captain of the team and I take the responsibility.

"I think everybody has problems outside of their work in life.  It is difficult but now I am here and all I have in my head is to make sure we are in the Premier League next year. That is my only objective."

Coloccini also put the record straight on a letter from himself to Argentine club San Lorenzo, which has been translated from Spanish to English and recently published.

"In the last few days the newspapers picked up a letter that I wrote," he said.

"The letter is true but the meaning of it is different once translated from Spanish to English.

"I never said that I would go back to San Lorenzo. I never spoke to any team - the only reason to go back to Argentina would have been personal problems.

"But they knew I am a supporter of San Lorenzo and the fans were excited because they thought 'he supports us and this is a big chance to come to San Lorenzo'.

"The rumours were crazy because they thought I was coming back."

Despite uncertainty about the future of their captain, United's fans have remained firmly behind Coloccini.

The level of backing they have shown the defender since his arrival from Deportivo La Coruna in 2008 has never dwindled, and remaining a crowd favourite at St. James' Park is something which has touched the 31-year-old.

"I would like to say to the supporters of Newcastle United Football Club that I want to stay here and I thank them for supporting me," he explained.

"The last few weeks has been difficult for them, I recognise that.

"This is my work and my job and I have to separate my job and my life. Everybody in life has problems and it is normal. That is life.

"I am alone here with my family. We don't have grandparents here or uncles and aunties.

"It does make it difficult. Not for me personally, because I come to work everyday, but for my kids and wife.

"Here though, the Club and the fans are my family at the moment.

"The love that they give to me with my song and on the pitch for me is fantastic. It's the best present they can give me."