Newcastle fans react as Mehdi Abeid claims he regrets leaving SJP

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FC Nantes midfielder Mehdi Abeid has told the Chronicle that he feels leaving Newcastle United was the biggest regret of his career to date – and Toon fans have responded to his honest comments on Twitter.

Abeid, 27, left Newcastle in the summer of 2015 to join Greek giants Panathinaikos after previously enjoying a loan spell with the same club during 2013-14. He clocked up 72 outings, scoring 14 goals and winning the Greek Cup.

Siuch form earned him a move to French top-tier side Dijon where he remained until the summer, impressing and earning Ligue 1 status. A move to the much more established Nantes occured in the summer on a free transfer.

He has continued his solid form, scoring two and creating two in 19 outings for his new side. Asked about his decision to leave Newcastle, the Algeria international says he regrets leaving and one day wants to return to Tyneside.

“I think it was my biggest regret to quit Newcastle United,” Abeid said. “If I could change the past I would take the decision to stay and prove myself to the club and the fans. But I was really young and I needed that game-time to progress.

“The club understood that I wanted to have game-time but I wish one day to play again for Newcastle United again. There is a lot of work to do, and I’m concentrating with Nantes to make a great season here.”

Newcastle have plenty of options in the middle of the park following the emergence of the Longstaff brothers. Isaac Hayden, Ki Sung-yueng and Jonjo Shelvey are also options, but Ki is likely to leave at the end of the season. Jack Colback has no chance.

Newcastle fans have reacted on Twitter to Abeid’s comments, with the majority of the opinion that the African ace was not given enough time to shine – clocking up just 21 senior appearances. One fan even said he “would love him back”.

https://twitter.com/RonnieG49718245/status/1215349349066117120

https://twitter.com/bykerwallv3/status/1215339807846674432

https://twitter.com/Paul_Watson__/status/1215349475574677505