French ambitions fire Robert

By Paul Saffer

There is hardly a shortage of French talent in England - Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Marcel Desailly included - but maybe the most mercurial of them is yet to win the recognition of his compatriots.

Extravagent goals
Newcastle United FC midfield player Laurent Robert has gained a reputation in England for extravagant goals and spectacular skill. Indeed, his efforts in this season's UEFA Cup against NAC Breda and FC Basel 1893 played a large part in Newcastle's progress to the fourth round, where his free-kick against RCD Mallorca helped his team establish a 4-1 lead to take to Spain on Thursday.

Early career
It has not always been such plain-sailing for Robert. He began his career with Montpellier Hérault SC, before eleven league goals in the 1998/99 campaign earned him a move to Paris Saint-Germain FC and a full international debut against Northern Ireland in August 1999. This made him the first player from La Reunion - the Indian Ocean island where he was born - to represent France.

Newcastle move
After recovering from a poor first season at PSG, where he was sent off three times, he gained UEFA Champions League experience and caught the eye of Newcastle, who paid €14m for his services in 2001. He made a spectacular start, his pace and ability from set-pieces impressing English supporters.

Form recaptured
But injury combined with a loss of form saw him drop out of the France reckoning ahead of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and his next year at Newcastle was more difficult. Gradually, though, he has recaptured his old form, and this term his reputation has been restored.

Shearer praise
Newcastle captain Alan Shearer said after Robert's two goals in a 4-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur FC earlier this season: "When Robert puts his mind to it, when he is playing well, he is unstoppable." His manager Sir Bobby Robson agreed. "He has got used to England and English football," said the former England coach. "He's working more. He comes off now feeling he's played 90 minutes. Before, his shirt wasn't wet on his back."

French dream
However, that form has not earned the 28-year-old a recall to the France squad. Robert's last appearance came in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, when he was still at PSG. Yet, with UEFA EURO 2004™ approaching, he is dreaming of a call-up from national coach Jacques Santini.

Still hope
Robert said: "I will invite Jacques Santini along to Saint James' Park for our next European game. People do not understand why I am not picked for France. Our manager Bobby Robson certainly does not. Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet were called up at the last minute in 1998 so I reassure myself by thinking that could happen to me."

Emulating Henry
Indeed, like Robert, Henry once had the reputation for not fulfilling his potential, but experience at international level proved a vital stepping stone. Robert, like Henry, has benefited from playing for a club manager who has brought his talent to the fore. With the latter stages of the UEFA Cup within reach, maybe there is still time for him to turn Santini's head.