The Englishman has only been in France only for a few months but has already earned the respect of his Marseille team-mates. The midfielder was named the club’s player of the month for December. It was a surprise as the midfielder didn’t know about the announcement. He was taken aback when an interviewer said he had won the award, following Marseille’s 2-1 win against second division side Guingamp in the Coupe de France. Barton was quick to praise his teammates and showed his love for the game and he didn’t even put on the dodgy accent.
Joey Barton named player of the month at Marseille
Barton was born and raised in Huyton, Merseyside. He began his football career with Manchester City in 2002 after working his way through their youth system. His appearances in the senior side gradually increased over the following five years and he made more than 150 appearances for the club. He earned his first cap for the England national team in 2007, despite his criticism of some of the team’s players. He then joined Newcastle United for a fee of £5.8 million in July 2007. After 4 years with the Magpies, he joined Queens Park Rangers in August 2011. The 30 year old Englishman was literally kicked out by Queens Park Rangers in the summer following his shameful act at Manchester City on the final day of last season and joined Marseille on loan.
The final day antics of the 2011-12 season saw FA responding by issuing two charges of violent conduct against Barton, for the kick and the attempted head-butt, the initial foul already carrying with it a charge of violent conduct. Barton accepted the charge for kicking Aguero but denied the charge for attempting to headbutt Kompany. QPR also began an internal investigation into his behaviour, amid speculation that he will be stripped of the captaincy and fined and possibly shown the door by the club either by selling him, or releasing him on a free transfer or having his contract terminated for misconduct. Barton has been widely condemned in the media for his actions and for attempting to defend himself on Twitter. Barton was handed a twelve-match ban and fined £75,000. Also QPR announced the results of their internal investigation and Barton was stripped of the captaincy and fined six weeks wages, he was also left out of the club’s pre-season tour of Asia. The club said that they had “also reached agreement with Barton that if he seriously breaches the club’s disciplinary procedures again, the club reserves the right to terminate his contract”. Barton responded by saying that “My behaviour was wrong and I accept the punishment that has been imposed upon me as a result.
In September, the LFP confirmed that Barton’s 12-match ban would be upheld in French football, restricting Barton to Europa League football for the first four months of the season. Barton made his debut for the club in an away trip to Fenerbahçe in a Europa League tie, a match that ended 2–2. Barton scored his first goal for Marseille on 8 November in the 2–2 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany, netting directly from a corner kick in the 54th minute.
Barton told ESPN that he would not return to Queens Park Rangers after the loan spell, and he also said that he only joined the club for money because his partner was expecting a child. Following the comments, on 25 November 2012, he made his league debut in a 1–0 home win against Lille. In his third league appearance on 2 December, Barton provided the assists for both Souleymane Diawara’s and Andre Ayew’s goals as Marseille defeated Brest 2-1 to remain two points behind leaders Lyon. Since then Barton has done justice to his talent. Being one of the most underrated Englishman he has conquered French hearts with his recent performances.
Barton in his recent interview after being announced the player of the month said: ‘It’s always good that the fans appreciate the job you’re doing but for me the most important thing is winning football matches and that’s what I came here to do, My role in the team is not to score goals, my role is to help out the team and that means defending and getting the ball and getting some of the great players that we have in our team on the ball. The old water carrier role is one I wasn’t really renowned for in England, although I was able to do it.’
The 30-year-old also added: ‘I’m really enjoying my football, it’s difficult for me because the change in the culture of football took me a little bit to adapt to. But now the team is winning and I don’t think we’re firing on all cylinders, that’s generally a really good sign, when you don’t play great but you’re winning football matches. I believe winning is a habit, the same way losing is. When you get used to winning, you get hungry for success. The team is really together and it’s great to be a part of. I’m really blessed to play for a great club, play with some great people and some great footballers. Long may it continue?’
Marseille are third in the French top flight, level on points with Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon in a tight title race. Barton might certainly look to kick on with his form and will hope that he can guide Marseille to the top.
Tags: Coupe de France, Football, Guingamp, Joey Barton, Manchester City, Marseille, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers
