Scott Parker - a new legend? - - The official of Gavin Peacock

Scott Parker - a new legend? - 15/06/2005

A great acquisition for Newcastle

Having played alongside Scott Parker and watched him develop into an England international, I feel that Newcastle have bought a class act with the potential to become a ‘black and white’ legend.

In my opinion he’s the best ‘box to box’ player in the Premiership – he can break up play and dribble at speed, and he can score more goals than his past record may suggest. Additionally - he’s one of the good guys and will be a credit to the club both on and off the field.

I remember – quite some years ago – signing for Newcastle and being told that if you sweated blood for the Geordies they’d take you to their hearts. Scott will do that…and more!

People may say that he failed to make it Chelsea, but if he hadn’t had his injuries last season I honestly think Mourinho wouldn’t have sanctioned his transfer. He was bought to play in a similar role to that which Claude Makelele took, but I feel that he has more to his game and given the chance he’ll be able to prove that at Newcastle.

Chelsea tried Tiago and Geremi in the right of midfield and I’m sure that a fit Scott Parker would have given the club more. Perhaps Chelsea have another player lined up – Wright-Phillips if the media have it right – but I have to say that I’m surprised he’s been allowed to leave.

A three-man midfield core of Butt, Jenas and Parker can be a very powerful engine room. I’m not sure where that leaves Newcastle other midfielders – perhaps Dyer may play off Shearer, but those three in-form will take some stopping.

Looking back to may time at Charlton I remember getting the ball in training and if Scott was within 20 yards of me – I’d lay it off immediately. Within a second he be in on you - his ability to close down space was amazing. He also has no fear and he’ll take on the likes of Viera and Keane single handedly!

Having made the move myself I’m confident that he’ll settle well into the area. The reputation of the region is rightly changing for the better. Newcastle is a great City and a lovely place to live. He has a supportive family around him and these days it’s so easy to travel up and down country I really don’t see it as an issue.

As for me, I’m really enjoying the women’s Euro Championship. It’s a shame England were knocked out, but with an average age of 23, the team will improve in time. Interest in the tournament has been tremendous – we’ve had 3 million viewers watching our live games and that’s as many as Match of the Day pull in. With games being shown on BBC2 we’ve actually had a bigger audience that BBC1.