Interview:

Questions from Sweden - 03/12/2002

It's good to hear from Newcastle fans

Interest in Newcastle United spans the globe, in Sweden an NUFC fan community site is run by Jonas Bengtsson. Nobby has answered a number of questions from Jonas, the interview is shown below...

1) Since you joined Newcastle United have the interest for English football and especially Newcastle increased much in your home country Peru?

Yes, people now look at for Newcastle although after the Keegan years there was interest in Newcastle before I joined the club.

2) Why did you choose Newcastle United instead of the other top European clubs who were also chasing you?

Arsenal and Newcastle were both rumoured to be interested in me, but Newcastle made me a firm offer and I had no hesitation in accepting.

3) How did it feel to play alongside Diego Maradona at Boca Juniors, and later in his testimonial game?

Fantastic, Maradona has always been a favourite of mine, when I joined him at Boca it was a dream come true. He liked my style of play and termed me the 'Little Maestro', to receive a compliment from such a player was incredible.

4) How high do you regard Sir Bobby Robson's summer signings of Titus Bramble and Hugo Viana?

Both are fantastic players and so young that they will also improve. I'm sure both will go on to make many international appearances. At their age they have still to develop fully - which means that they'll improve. I can genuinely foresee great futures for both of them.

5) How much does Alan Shearer mean to you and the other players in the team, not just on the pitch but also off it?

He is club captain and leads by example both on the pitch and off it. There has been so much written about the man, but this just represents how important he really is.

6) When you are playing against other South American players with Newcastle, do you speak Spanish with them on the pitch?

Spanish, it makes sense to. But this year it's normally just me who speaks Spanish as both Clarence Acuna and Christian Bassedas haven't had their chance in the first team.

7) Which Newcastle youth team player's have the ability to really make a mark in football?

At the moment it's difficult to say, we don't train with the Academy players that regularly. Having said that, Michael Chopra is an obvious candidate, Stephen Brennan, an Irish right back, and Andy Ferrel, a left sided player have all impressed me when we've trained together. It'll take a couple of years for them to come through but when they do, the club will be in a strong position.

8) What chance do you think Newcastle have of winning a trophy this year?

We have a chance, and anything can happen in cup games. When you look at the Premiership and the Champions League, we're up against teams with fantastic squads and it will be very difficult to win those competitions, but that won't stop us from trying. The FA Cup looks to be the best bet.

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