Newcastle United icon Faustino Asprilla is today featured in a big story from ESPN Brasil.
The outlet featured a long interview with the 52-year-old, first speaking of the years he played for the Magpies, and then quizzing him about the club’s future following the recent takeover.
Talking about the signings that Newcastle United are about to make, Asprilla made it clear that the club must go after talents who want to win titles at the club, as the money they’re about to offer could attract another type of mentality.
“They need to find a good coach and convince the good players to play for the club. It won’t be quick. I think it will take four or five years for Newcastle to start thinking about big titles,” Asprilla told ESPN Brasil.
“The board has to choose very well the players they’ll sign. It has to be athletes who come not only for their performance, but to compete and win. Newcastle cannot become a team from the ‘Arab world’, those that the players go to Qatar, Arabia or China to finish their career just for the money.”
“If that’s the case, it won’t work in the Premier League. The players need to be convinced to win at Newcastle more for the shirt than the money.”
Faustino Asprilla joined Newcastle United in January 1996 on a move from Parma. He played for the Magpies for two and a half years, and had a record of 18 goals and 19 assists in 63 appearances for the club.
With few South Americans featuring in the Premier League at that time, he’s to this day sought by the media to speak about English football, especially the St. James’ Park side.
