This week, Newcastle United manager, Steve Bruce made it clear to Ghana international, Christian Atsu that his time with the Tyneside club is completely over together with four others in the recently commenced English Premier League season.



The diminutive wideman found opportunities limited at the St. James Park amid lots of injuries that beset his progress at the club and with the signing of Ryan Fraser it complicated matters for the pacy winger.

But, it looks like the winger may not wait around for much longer having found a new suitor in Scottish champions, Celtic, who have intensified efforts to sign him following his status with Newcastle declared not needed.

Celtic were on the verge of signing Atsu in January, but for a last-minute hitch the move was unsuccessful.

With a year left on his existing contract, Atsu is expected to command a sizeable transfer fee for his current club amid the transfer saga.

The 28-year-old initially joined Newcastle from Chelsea in 2016 while the Magpies were in the English in the Championship.

Atsu had numerous loan spells with the likes of Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, Bournemouth, and Malaga.

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Ghana international Christian Atsu’s time with Newcastle United is completely over as manager Steve Bruce has penciled his name together with four others as not part of his squad heading into the new season.

The diminutive Wideman has found opportunities limited at the St. James Park amid lots of injuries that have beset his progress at the club and with the signing of Ryan Fraser it complicates matters for the pacy winger.

On Saturday, manager Steve Bruce failed to name him in his matchday squad as Newcastle posted a 2-0 victory over West Ham United in the first match of the season 2020-21.

“I like Christian – the same goes for [Yoshinori] Muto – trains every day, works tirelessly, [and is] a good professional,But in a situation where, are they going to play enough? There has to come a time when they go and play football.

“The same goes for [Henri] Saivet. Henri has been around the place since I’ve been here. We try to treat him with respect and he trains every day and is a good pro.

“Saivet, Atsu, Muto, [Achraf] Lazaar, [Rolando] Aarons – they need to find a home and try to progress their careers again,” Bruce told the BBC Newcastle on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s League Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers.

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Ghana and Newcastle United winger, Christian Atsu has rubbished reports making headlines this week that he has retired from national team duties with the senior setup, Black Stars.

This week reports surfaced that the former Bournemouth winger had held fruitful deliberations with the current head coach of the side, CK Akonnor off his desire to discontinue playing for the nation.

A confidante to the Ghanaian international said the player was displeased about how he had received minimal support from the handlers of the national team when he got injured during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

He further suggested that Atsu only asked to be exempted from the Sudan duel as he had only recovered from a long term injury and needed maximum time to fully heal in order to get back to his level best for club and country.

“Atsu told the coach he should excuse him from the Sudan game because he just returned from injury but he pledged his support to the coach.

“I will urge Ghanaians to disregard any reports. Atsu is still a member of the Black Stars and ready to play anytime he is called upon,” he added.

Christian Atsu currently plies his trade with Newcastle United in the Premier League which is currently suspended as the globe battles the pandemic, Corona Virus.

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Ghana’s committed and reliable playmaker Christian Atsu has served notice of his decision to quit the Black Stars citing neglect over the injury that ultimately cost him his starting place at Newcastle United, according to reports.

The patriotic player, who has consistently served Ghana with diligence over for more than seven years, has told Black Stars coach Charles Akonnor he is no longer available for selection.

Credible reports suggest that the England-based player delivered the message to coach Akonnor when he visited England recently on a tour of Europe to meet Black Stars players.

It explains why the talented winger was excluded from Ghana’s squad announced by Akonnor to face Sudan in a botched 2021 Africa Cup of Nations double-header qualifier.

Atsu’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt ended prematurely after he picked up a hamstring injury during his country’s 0-0 stalemate against Cameroon on July 1, 2019.

He was immediately flown to Tyneside for treatment which lasted for over two months.

According to Ghanasoccernet, the talented winger is unhappy after officials of the Ghana Football Association failed to even contact him during the period of his predicament.

He was left to his faith despite proving his loyalty, dedication and commitment to the national team for several years and now appears to want to focus on getting his club career back on track.

The injury he suffered while on national duty cost him many things including his starting berth in the Newcastle United squad as well as wages because he could not get bonuses for playing and had to rely only on salaries.

He lost his place to the club’s emergency signing Allan Saint-Maximin due to the setback he suffered while on international duty.

The former FC Porto wideman is now reluctant to return to the Ghanaian national team after pouring out his genuine concerns to coach Charles Akonnor.

The former Everton and Bournemouth winger has demonstrated he is a top professional, whose loyalty to Ghana cannot be questioned.

He turned down a chance to play for Scottish giants Celtic during the winter transfer window as he preferred to fight for his place at St James’ Park.

Atsu has excelled heavily in Ghana colours, seizing games because of his huge heart, stamina and will to win for the Black Stars to earn him huge admirers in the West African nation.

An instinctive footballer often fuelled by emotion and adrenalin, Atsu has demonstrated his unrivaled commitment to the national team since he bust onto the international scene in 2012.

It remains to be seen if the Ghana FA can make overtures for the 28-year-old to rescind his decision as he remains keen to focus on his club career.

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Ghana suffered a massive blow on Monday when their key player Christian Atsu was ruled out of the ongoing 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament because of injury.

Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu suffered a hamstring injury during Ghana’s 0-0 draw against Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations.

He underwent tests on the thigh injury on Sunday and now the results released on Monday have shown that he will not be able to play any further part in the tournament for Ghana.

According to Ghanasoccernet, Atsu will no longer play a part in the tournament because of the severity of the injury.

His injury is a big blow for Ghana who were counting on the winger to deliver the form he displayed in 2015 that saw being named as the best player of the competition.

Atsu was forced off after just 14 minutes after grabbing at the back of his right leg and was sent to the hospital for a scan to assess the severity of the injury.



Newcastle United’s medical team are currently in discussions with the Ghana staff to determine what’s the best course of action.

The 27-year-old will definitely miss Ghana’s final group stage match against Guinea Bissau, a match they will likely have to win in order to advance to the round-of-16.

Last season, Atsu bounced back from a knee injury he suffered at the end of the 2017-18 campaign to make 32 appearances under Rafa Benítez.

source: Ghanasoccernet

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Christian Atsu came out injured in Ghana’s goalless draw against Cameroon and Kwesi Appiah will be hoping that the forward will be fit for their last game against Guinea-Bissau.

Thomas Ayepong is still injured but reports suggest that he will be fit to play in the round of 16 if Ghana manages to qualify.

Christian Atsu was taken to the hospital to confirm the extent of his injury and that will determine if he will be fit enough to play the last game against Guinea-Bissau.



Injuries and suspension will force Ghana coach to make some changes in the final group game, with Agyepong and Atsu injured and defender Kassim Nuhu suspended, Kwesi Appiah will be looking to his bench for possible replacements.

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Reports  are suggesting that he plans on releasing 40 more prisoners before the ending of December 2018.

Christian Atsu pays for release of nine African prisoners

In October this year, Atsu prevented a mother and her two daughters from spending three months in prison for taking some leftover corn estimated at GH¢10 which did not belong to them.

A court found them guilty and consequently sentenced all three including a lactating mother after they were unable to raise GH¢ 360 slapped on them.

He came to the rescue of the convicts and through the Crime Check Foundation donated GH¢1,000 for their release.

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Last week, ChronicleLive revealed the big-hearted star had used his wages to help free a family jailed for pinching just over a quids worth of corn.

He also reportedly funded an operation for a gravely ill 62-year-old female prisoner.

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Now it has emerged the Ghana international has shelled out thousands of pounds of his own cash alongside the Crime Check Foundation to release some of his homeland’s poorest prisoners who were locked up for petty offences.

“He has so far donated seven thousand pounds into the Petty Offenders Fund which has been launched by our Crime Check Foundation to take care of misdemeanors,” said a spokesperson for the charity.

“The amount will cater for about thirty prisoners.

“Currently, nine prisoners have been released. He has promised to release many more.”

The charity previously confirmed he had helped pay the fines of some criminals while providing money for the “voiceless”.

Source: ChronicleLive

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