Newcastle United is a club that has left fans wondering ‘what if’
Throughout the history of the club, there have been moments where players have flopped under one manager but performed elsewhere.
Take Florian Thauvin, for example. The winger joined Newcastle United in 2015 but failed to score a Premier League goal under Steve McClaren. Although deemed a flop on Tyneside, Thauvin won the World Cup with France in 2018.
Then there are players like Georgino Wijnaldum, who left Newcastle in 2016 following their relegation to the Championship. Although it was the best move for him, fans are left wondering if he could have helped the Magpies to success in the Premier League under Rafa Benitez.
There were even players who were destined for greatness who nearly joined Newcastle in the 1990s. Kevin Keegan wanted to sign George Weah at Newcastle after Andy Cole joined Manchester United in 1995. Weah admitted he would have joined Newcastle before signing for AC Milan had he known of Keegan’s interest.
What many Newcastle fans may not know, however, is that Keegan had actually signed a player who went on do great things in the Premier League.
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Brad Friedel signed for Newcastle United under Kevin Keegan in 1994
Goalkeeper Brad Friedel is a Premier League legend, playing for several Premier League clubs including Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, his career could have been completely different if it were not for work permit rules denying him the opportunity to move to England early in his career.
Having just finished an astonishing season with Newcastle, Keegan was looking for a new shot-stopper to replace Mike Hooper, who had struggled in his 19 appearances. The Magpies finished third in their first season in the Premier League, but the goalkeeper position was still one that Keegan needed to improve.
Keegan brought Friedel to Newcastle in 1994 after Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest failed to sign him, but the Magpies experienced the same problem, his work permit kept being rejected.
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph in 2008, shortly after Keegan returned to Newcastle for his second stint as manager, Friedel opened up about the failed move to Tyneside.
“Back in 1994, I did sign a contract with Newcastle but I got denied on the work permit.
“I spent around three months with the club whilst we lodged the appeal. Kevin Keegan was the manager back then and everyone was buzzing down there.
“If you speak to most Newcastle fans, they will tell you it was a very exciting time for the club.
“Kevin is an infectious guy – the type of person players want to play for.
“I know he’s only been back a short time but he will be an asset to the club, because of his energy and the way he motivates people.”
While Friedel was waiting for his appeal with the British Authorities, he trained with Keegan’s Newcastle, acting as an on-loan player from the United States Soccer Federation.
Brad Friedel is a Premier League record holder despite failed Newcastle United move
While they may have missed out on one of the league’s best-ever goalkeepers, Newcastle still got on well with Pavel Srnicek before signing Shay Given under Kenny Dalglish.
However, the failed move is sure to make fans wonder ‘what if’ Friedel’s work permit was approved? He could have been hailed as a Newcastle legend if the move worked out for him.
Friedel finally got his Premier League move in 1997, joining Liverpool, where he spent three years. He then joined Blackburn Rovers, playing 288 times in the Premier League before signing for Aston Villa and Tottenham to close out his illustrious career.
The American is even one of very few goalkeepers who have scored in the Premier League, netting for Blackburn against Charlton in 2004.
Friedel’s Premier League legacy is still recognised to this day. Now 53, Friedel still holds the record for the most consecutive Premier League appearances, with 310.
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