Former Newcastle man Hatem Ben Arfa recently spoke of his time at the Toon, describing it as ‘hell’.
Ben Arfa, 28, has enjoyed an excellent first season at French club Nice since joining in the summer, but has told French sources that he felt unvalued and ill-treated at Newcastle under Alan Pardew, who now manages Crystal Palace.
There, on the first day back in August 2014, I was placed directly with the reserves. A terrible humiliation.
Although the treatment of Ben Arfa appears to be very harsh from the club, the Frenchman’s attitude towards his football was questionable to say the least.
Ben Arfa also told the French media about how he was made to train with the younger players of the Newcastle squad, and how it felt like a ‘nightmare’ being at the club during this period.
Weeks passed and I was always with these young 16 and 17-year-olds on land away from the pros. I did not understand. They gave me a nightmare. It was full of little cheap shots. And when I believed in me [getting out] by signing for Nice, they were forbidden to hire me (until July).
Ben Arfa has scored seven goals for Nice in Ligue 1 this season, as well as setting up two goals. His excellent form has earned him a recall to the French national squad, with his career seemingly back on the right track.
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