Introducing the “new Patrick Vieira”, Guirane N’Daw

When Andy Walker announced that there was to be a new signing yesterday on twitter, I have to admit I expected it to be either an extension to Chris Wood’s loan, or maybe a return of the prodigal Darren Carter to St Andrews. Suffice it to say, when it was announced that Blues had made the loan signing of Guirane N’Daw from St Etienne until January, I was a bit surprised. Partly because I’d heard nothing rumour wise about it, and partly because I’ve never heard of our new Senegalese midfielder.

N’Daw will become the fifth Senegalese player to play for Blues, following in the illustrious footsteps of Aliou Cisse, Ferdinand Coly, Salif Diao and new team-mate Morgaro Gomis. With Jordon Mutch likely to be sidelined until December at least, it makes sense for Blues to bring in another midfield anchorman who can help give Blues some steel in the centre of the pitch. Looking at N’Daw’s build, it’s easy to see how he has been described as similar to another Senegalese-born player, Patrick Vieira.

Our new midfielder has been chased by English clubs before, most notably Stoke City and Wolves, so it’s not all that surprising he has turned up on these shores. Whilst he is on loan from Ligue 1 side St Etienne, N’Daw has most recently been playing for Real Zaragoza in La Liga, where he made nine appearances after signing on loan for the latter part of last season.

His stats don’t point to a real goalscorer of a midfielder, with just eight league goals in his nine years as a pro player, but I don’t think he’s been signed to do that for us. Our midfield has looked a bit lightweight this season, and having a big bruiser in the Vieira mould in the middle of the park should do us the world of good. Chris Hughton has a track record for spotting similar players; for instance I was impressed with Cheik Tiote at Newcastle last season, who was a Hughton signing.

In short, we’ve picked up an international class midfielder on loan, who has experience of playing in the top flights of Spain and France. He’s big, he’s tall, he doesn’t score many goals but I suspect he’ll scare the crapola out of a few opposing midfielders in the Championship. I’m happy with this signing; it was obviously a problem area and Chris Hughton has sorted it in quick time with a deal that looks right for the club. It also sets to rest some of the “Blues can’t sign any more players cos of HSBC” rumours that have been doing the rounds. N’Daw cannot play in tomorrow’s game against CD Nacional, but will no doubt be in line to make his debut against Watford at Vicarage Road.

Tags: Chris Hughton, Darren Carter, Guirane N'Daw, Jordon Mutch, Morgaro Gomis

GoodyBlueShoes says:

August 24, 2011 at 8:55 am

Yes, Yes great news that we have a new midfielder to replace Mutch. What about forwards Ed? We look so light up front again.

Goody

tublu says:

August 24, 2011 at 8:58 am

“new Patrick Vieira” ? ffs, he’s been a pro for nearly 10 years already. not the new anything.

JohnR says:

August 24, 2011 at 9:31 am

No one saw this coming. Well done Blues for keeping it under wraps. He’s a big unit and let’s hope he can also play a bit. Let’s have faith in CH’s judgement, as you say he spotted a weakness and has tried to do something about it.

On Mutch have I missed a statement from Blues on his injury I haven’t seen it confirmed that he has broken his ankle.

GoodyBlkueShoes – re strikers, there’s a rumour around that we are buying Nile Ranger from Newcastle for £750k but I’m a bit sceptical about this because i thought we had no money.

alexjhurley says:

August 24, 2011 at 9:40 am

Yeah on paper a good signing in an area we desperately needed to bolster.

Goody – don’t worry about forwards we’ve got 5 of those 7 if you include jervis and asante. Jerome and king will be fit soon enough. It’s cover at centre half and wide midfield we need now.

Squad shaping up well. Whilst this sub is competitve, there are no stand out sides and there won’t be much between the top 10. I think well do better than many expect – don’t rule out a play off spot (perhaps we should sign carter)

Alan Watton says:

August 24, 2011 at 11:20 am

Great news at last. annoying he wasn’t signed in time to play Thursday. a few days of the transfer window left and another 4 signings required. the three stiffs injured up front should be shipped out and replaced with fit and active strikers

Griff says:

August 24, 2011 at 6:04 pm

When he’s fit, I have no doubt that Marlon King will get us at least 15 goals this season. I am starting to believe that we could even stay in this division!

chris says:

August 24, 2011 at 6:06 pm

Alan , there’s loads of time left the loan window doesn’t shut till the end of Sept or Oct .
many prem teams players e.g. ranger at newcastle won’t be loaned out till the window shuts for prem clubs, who will then decide which players are excess to their squads.

August 24, 2011 at 6:11 pm

let’s get 11 or 12 league games (1/4 of season) under our belts before we judge on where we will finish.
team will only just be gelling together at that stage
for me the next two months will be nervous times mixed with anticipation when we sign someone

leigh says:

August 24, 2011 at 9:33 pm

If the midfield is ‘looking a bit lightweight’ God help the defence and the attack. I do not know what Darren Carter has done recently, but I for one, was disappointed when he was offloaded.
The best thing Mc Leish could have done for us last season would have been to push the signing of Nathan Clyne who we all believed he wanted to sign, and after relegation to keep our most effective striker Lee Bowyer.
Then we could fill ‘ our lightweight midfield’ and accept that Dann and Zigic will go, and hope to keep Ridgewell and Jerome.