Hatem Ben Arfa is enduring a challenging season at Newcastle United, with limited playing time and strained relations with manager Alan Pardew. His compatriot and former teammate, Yohan Cabaye, recently addressed the situation in an interview with Foot Mercato.
Ben Arfa has started just thirteen Premier League games this season, clearly falling out of Pardew’s plans. Cabaye, who returned to Ligue 1 after two and a half years in England, emphasized Ben Arfa’s undeniable talent despite recent difficulties.
“I haven’t discussed a possible departure with him. It’s a situation he has to manage on his own,” Cabaye said. “For me, he remains an extraordinary player with enormous qualities. It’s true it was more complicated for him at the end of the season. But he will manage to bounce back and find more opportunities in another team. He’s one of the most talented players I’ve played with.”
Regarding a potential return to French football, Cabaye expressed cautious optimism. “If he decides to come back, so much the better for the French championship. What I wish for him is to have fun, to rediscover the joy of playing, and to become important to a team again,” added the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.
As Ben Arfa faces an uncertain future at Newcastle, his peers continue to hope the gifted playmaker can regain his form and flourish once more.
