GettyImagesMathieu Debuchy was a big favourite with the Lille fans

More than six months after initially trying to tie up a deal for Lille's French international right-back Mathieu Debuchy, Newcastle have their man.

- Newcastle seal Debuchy deal

Debuchy signed for a fee in the region of £5.5 million and becomes the eighth French player in the Newcastle squad.

In the decades that I've been going to St James' Park, quality Newcastle right-backs have been few and far between so Debuchy is a welcome addition. I've seen Debuchy play a handful of times and he was particularly brilliant against England at Euro 2012. However, five games isn't enough to really judge a player, so I went to the best Lille source and Lille supporter on the Internet, Andrew Gibney from French Football Weekly and he gave me the lowdown on the 'Bionic Man':

MD: Mathieu Debuchy - do you rate him?

AG: Oh yes. Massive fan favourite with the Lille fans. When I bought my first shirt after we won the league Debuchy was the first name I wanted on the back. Was impressive when he was a midfielder but came into his own as a right-back. Great desire to get forward, all action, wears his heart on his sleeve. Born and bred in Lille, he is a proper Dogues!

How would describe his playing style? Strengths? Weaknesses?

Strengths - Desire to break forward but also the stamina to get back into the defence. Great in the air, comes as a surprise to most, rarely gets beaten by high diagonal balls. Good right foot, can finish really well for a defender.

Weaknesses - Gets booked a lot, which could calm down with the move to England. French referees are quite strict. Usually it comes from his desire to win the ball. His crossing can leave a lot to be desired at times, this could be down to Lille's lack of a target man in the box. Cisse might be a better option.

How do you think he will fit in with the Premier Leagues style of football?

I think he'll take to it very well. Forward thinking full-backs do really well, like Baines, Cole, Evra etc. He will make his own space and push forward. He is strong and powerful and likes to get stuck in, the physical side of the game will suit him so I don't think he'll struggle to fit in and adapt.

Why are LOSC prepared to do the deal now that they wouldn't progress in the summer?

Lille should have done the deal in the summer, all the fans were surprised he stayed and would have cashed in. Lille wanted €9 million in the summer and Newcastle didn't go that high. Now that Lille are out of the Champions League and the league form hasn't been great, things aren't very good at Lille at the moment.

Coach Rudi Garcia is trying to re-shape the team and get some younger blood in, the pressure is on him with the signings he's made and the team that he's playing. Djibril Sidibe came in this summer and he is going to be the right-back of the future. Lille want to bring in another forward and the money from the Debuchy move will let that happen. This summer it wasn't necessary.

How has Mathieu performed this season?

So far this season he's not been at his best. Lille fans are putting this down to his desire to move. Garcia had hoped his love for this club would have helped him stay, this has not been the case, he should have moved and now that he's got his move it would be a big surprise if his form didn't come back. After being a Lille player for 19 years he deserved his move and the fans have no ill feelings towards him for moving.

He suffered an injury early in the season and has only really got back to full fitness and he definitely showed signs of improvement. He'll be flying out the blocks at NUFC.

Is there anything else worth knowing?

Known as the "Bionic Man" at Lille after coming back better than ever after damaging knee ligaments in 2006. Great friends with Cabaye so the dreamboat should help him settle in. A great influence to have at your club. Great shame to see him leave but all the Lille fans wish him well.


Andrew's words give me great hope for Debuchy and I'm looking forward to seeing him in action. If he's half as good as his lifelong friend Yohan Cabaye, he will do for me.

www.frenchfootballweekly.com is well worth a look and you can also find Andrew on Twitter @AGibneyftbl

Twitter: @MarcSDuffy

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