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Demba Ba

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Demba Ba
Ba warming up for West Ham United in 2011
Personal information
Full name Demba Ba[1]
Date of birth (1985-05-25) 25 May 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Sèvres, France
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 19
Youth career
1999–2000 Port Autonome
2000–2001 Frileuse
2001–2004 Montrouge
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2005–2006 Rouen 26 (22)
2006–2007 Mouscron 12 (8)
2007–2011 1899 Hoffenheim 97 (37)
2011 West Ham United 12 (7)
2011–2013 Newcastle United 54 (29)
2013– Chelsea 16 (2)
International career‡
2007– Senegal 17 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 October 2013
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 April 2013

Demba Ba (born 25 May 1985) is a footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League side Chelsea and the Senegal national team. Born in France, Ba played youth team football with French teams Port Autonome, Frileuse and Montrouge. He made his first-team debut with French team Rouen in 2005 before moving to Mouscron and onto 1899 Hoffenheim in Germany in 2007. In 2011, he moved to English Premier League side West Ham United. He played only 12 games for West Ham and despite being their league top goal scorer for season 2010–11, they were relegated to the Championship and Ba moved to Newcastle United. In January 2013, Ba completed a move to Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. He rejected a move to an unnamed Irish league side on summer Deadline Day 2013 with the reason, 'Hell no, Cully's a centre back, I is scared! I shiver with fear!'

Early career

Ba was born in Sèvres, Hauts-de-Seine, and is the sixth child of seven. He grew up in Saint-Valery-en-Caux, Seine-Maritime. He joined a youth club in Montgaillard in 1992, before playing for Port Autonome between 1999 and 2000, and then for Frileuse between 2000 and 2001.[3]

In 2001, Ba returned to Châtillon and played for Montrouge.[3] He played there until 2004, at which point he decided to concentrate on his football.[3] Later that year, after unsuccessful trials at Lyon and Auxerre,[3] Ba moved to the United Kingdom to seek a professional contract. He was recommended to Watford manager Ray Lewington through his friend Gauthier Diafutua, then a Watford player, but released shortly after Lewington's dismissal. Ba then spent a week on trial at Barnsley,[3] and returned to France after two more unsuccessful trials at Football League sides Swansea and Gillingham.[4]

Club career

Rouen

Ba signed with manager Alain Michel because they were both moving to French club Rouen on a one-year contract, and Ba enjoyed a highly successful season with the club.

Mouscron

Belgian club Mouscron beat off competition from numerous other clubs to win Ba's signature in 2006. Scoring in each of his first three games, he then picked up fractures in his tibia and fibula, and was out of action between August 2006 and April 2007. Following his eight month recovery period he scored seven goals in nine games, and picked up his first international cap.

1899 Hoffenheim

Demba Ba, pictured on 31 January 2009

On 29 August 2007, Ba moved to 2. Bundesliga side 1899 Hoffenheim for €3 million. Ba was an integral part of Hoffenheim's promotion to the Bundesliga and their successful first season in the Bundesliga, where they finished seventh after leading during the Christmas break. In that season he scored 14 goals, only missing one game all season. These goals included a hat-trick in a 3–3 game against Stuttgart on 24 February 2009. In all competitions Ba scored 40 goals in 103 appearances for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.[5] In July 2009, he was due to move to VfB Stuttgart, but the move fell through after he failed a medical.[6] In December of that year Ba extended his contract at Hoffenheim to 2013.[7]

Move to England

Ba left Hoffenheim for disputed reasons in January 2011. Claiming the club had gone back on an agreed transfer to a Premier League club, believed to be West Ham United, he refused to travel to Hoffenheim's winter training camp. In response, Hoffenheim's general manager said his contract would be cancelled, he would face legal action, and he would be fined and prevented from moving to another club for six months.[8][9] The club also later claimed he travelled to England without permission in order to force a move, which they reluctantly agreed needs to happen due to Ba's actions.[10] The club later agreed to a transfer to Stoke City for a reported fee of £7.1 million, but it fell through after Ba had agreed personal terms but failed his medical for undisclosed reasons.[11][12] Expressing disappointment, Stoke City manager Tony Pulis said "Obviously they found something which could cause problems later".[13]

West Ham United

After the collapsed Stoke deal, Ba was sold to West Ham for an undisclosed fee based on appearances. He signed a three-year contract on 28 January, on a pay as you play basis due to knee problems found in the Stoke medical.[14][15][16][17] Ba's Premier League debut came on 6 February 2011, as a 75th minute substitute for Robbie Keane during a 1–0 home defeat by Birmingham City.[18] His first goals followed six days later during his full debut, scoring twice in a 3–3 draw against West Bromwich Albion.[19] Despite finishing as their top scorer for the season with seven from twelve games including 2 in the last game, Ba's stay with West Ham proved to be short.[20] Following their relegation to the Championship after a 3–2 loss away to Wigan Athletic he invoked a release clause in his contract allowing him to leave for free. He turned down a £50,000-a-week salary plus a bonus payment of £500,000 in order to stay in the Premier League with another club, triggering interest from both Everton and Newcastle United.[14][21]

Newcastle United

2011–12 season

On 17 June 2011, Ba signed for Newcastle United on a three-year deal, making his club debut on 13 August 2011 in 0–0 draw against Arsenal.[22][23] His first goals for the club came on 24 September 2011 with a hat-trick against Blackburn Rovers in a 3–1 home win.[24] A second hat-trick came in a 3–1 away win at Stoke City, taking his league total to 8 and maintaining the club's 11 game unbeaten league start, taking them to 3rd in the league.[25][26] Ba's goalscoring form continued despite Newcastle entering a downward spell, and saw him picked in ESPN.com's Premier League Best XI for the first half of the season, and named Premier League Player of the Month for December 2011.[27][28][29] By the time Ba left to play in the January international tournament the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations his league tally had reached 15, making him second top scorer in the league behind Arsenal's Robin van Persie. He left for the tournament on a high note, scoring the first in a 3–0 home win over Manchester United on 4 January 2012, the team's first victory against the league champions in over a decade.[30] Such was their form, Ba and club mate Cheick Tioté's departure for the African Cup of Nations was said to be a big miss for Newcastle going into the second half of the season.[31] While at the tournament, Ba's Senegal team-mate Papiss Cissé also signed for Newcastle.[32] Ba and Cissé returned earlier than expected after Senegal finished bottom of their group, with Ba having missed three Premier League games and two FA Cup games, the second of which saw Newcastle knocked out of the cup.[33] He returned to action against Aston Villa on their visit to St James' Park on 5 February 2012, his return proved to be a goal scoring one as he netted the opener in the game which Newcastle won 2–1.[34] This would prove to be Ba's last goal of the season, as he moved to the left of a three pronged attack with Papiss Cisse leading the line, and grabbing 12 goals in the second half of the season. Despite this late season slump, Ba was voted as the best signing of the 2011–12 season by Premier League managers in March 2012.[35] and finished the season as Newcastle's leading goal scorer, with 16 goals.

2012–13 season

Ba got his season off to a strong start scoring in a 1–0 win against Monaco, in Landsberg am Lech, Germany on 16 July 2012. He also scored in a 2–1 win against Braga which helped Newcastle win the Guadiana Trophy. In Newcastle's first league game against Tottenham, Ba opened the scoring with a fantastic volleyed effort in a 2–1 win.[36] On 17 September 2012, he scored Newcastle's 1000th goal of the Premier League era, after scoring both goals in a 2–2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park.[37] On 29 September, he scored for the third game in a row as he scored twice in a 2–2 draw away to Reading, the first a sensational volley, the second however proved controversial as the ball struck his arm before going in.[38]

It was known that Ba had a release clause in his contract valued at £7m causing speculation of him making a transfer to Chelsea.[39] This speculation was confirmed by Newcastle manager Alan Pardew on 2 January 2013 who said that the transfer was "done" and Ba would "go to Chelsea with our blessing."[40]

Chelsea

On 4 January 2013, Ba joined Chelsea for an undisclosed fee. Ba signed a three-and-a-half-year contract, becoming the first ever Senegalese player to join the club. He received the vacant number 29 shirt.[41] Ba made his debut against Southampton in the third round of the FA Cup on 5 January. He marked his first appearance for the club by scoring two goals in a 5–1 victory for Chelsea.[42] He scored on his home league debut on 16 January in the 2-2 draw against the same club.[43] On 2 February 2013, Ba first played his former team Newcastle in a Premier League match. The match was held at Newcastle's St. James' Park. In the 32nd minute of the match Ba had a chance to open the scoring but his initial attempt on goal was saved by Newcastle keeper Tim Krul. Ba managed to head the rebounded ball and in doing so collided with Coloccini. The collision resulted in a broken nose and Ba was substituted in the 43rd minute. Newcastle went on to win the game 3–2.[44] After a run of seven games without finding the back of the net, Ba added to his goals collection by scoring in a 1–0 win against West Bromwich at Stamford Bridge on 2 March.[45] On 1 April, Ba scored a goal from a long Juan Mata cross in the FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United, giving Chelsea a 1–0 victory and a spot at Wembley against Manchester City in the semi-finals of the competition.[46]

International career

Ba has played a total of 17 games for Senegal, scoring four goals.[47] He scored on his debut against Tanzania in June 2007.

Personal life

Ba is a practicing Muslim.[48] He observes fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan, along with celebrating his goals by performing the Islamic prayer routine.[49]

Shirt number

Ba wore the shirt number 29 and later 9 while at Hoffenheim, and 21 at West Ham United.[50] At Newcastle he wore number 19, with the club's number 9 shirt being worn by Papiss Cissé. It was last worn by Andy Carroll during the 2010–11 season before he was sold to Liverpool in the January transfer window.[51][52] With his goalscoring form leading to suggestions he could have been given Newcastle's number 9 from the outset, Ba said he would be keeping the number 19 for the rest of his career as it was special to him, for reasons he would possibly reveal after he had retired.[53] After joining Chelsea, he was again given the available number 29 shirt, with Paulo Ferreira having 19. He changed to number 19 at the start of the 2013–14 season after the retirement of Ferreira.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 6 October 2013.
Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
France League Coupe de France Coupe de la Ligue Europe Total
2005–06 Rouen CFA 26 22 0 0 – – – – 26 22
France total 26 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 22
Belgium League Belgian Cup League Cup Europe Total
2006–07 Mouscron Belgian Pro League 12 8 0 0 – – – – 12 8
Belgium total 12 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 8
Germany League DFB-Pokal Other Europe Total
2007–08 1899 Hoffenheim 2. Bundesliga 30 12 0 0 – – – – 30 12
2008–09 Bundesliga 33 14 2 0 – – – – 35 14
2009–10 17 5 1 0 – – – – 18 5
2010–11 17 6 3 3 – – – – 20 9
Germany total 97 37 6 3 0 0 0 0 103 40
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
2010–11 West Ham United Premier League 12 7 1 0 – – 13 7
2011–12 Newcastle United 34 16 0 0 2 0 – 36 16
2012–13 20 13 0 0 0 0 2 0 22 13
2012–13 Chelsea 14 2 6 4 2 0 0 0 22 6
2013–14 Chelsea 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 4 0
England total 82 38 7 4 5 0 3 0 97 42
Career totals 217 105 13 6 5 0 3 0 238 111

International

As of match played 23 March 2013.[47]
National team Year Apps Goals
Senegal 2007 5 1
2008 0 0
2009 2 0
2010 2 1
2011 2 1
2012 5 1
2013 1 0
Total 17 4

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists" (PDF). Premier League. 4 September 2012. p. 21. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Player Profile: Demba Ba". Premier League. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Biography of Demba Ba". Demba Ba official website. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  4. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20891896
  5. ^ "1899 Hoffenheim signs Carlos Eduardo and Demba Ba" (in German). TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
  6. ^ "Stuttgart ist das Risiko zu groß". Kicker (in German). 9 July 2009. Retrieved 15 January 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Obasi, Ba und Compper verlängern Verträge vorzeitig" (in German). TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  8. ^ "Hoffenheim refuse to release Senegal's Demba Ba". BBC sport. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  9. ^ "Explanation from Demba". Demba Ba official website. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  10. ^ Zocher, Thomas (25 November 2011). "Hoffenheim – No Ba regrets". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  11. ^ "Stoke step up Ba pursuit". Sky Sports. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  12. ^ "Ba's Stoke move breaks downl". Sky Sports. 15 January 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  13. ^ Paterson, Hayley (15 January 2011). "Pulis upset over Ba deal". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 December 2011.
  14. ^ a b Jackson, Jamie (15 June 2011). "Demba Ba leaves West Ham and looks to the Premier League". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  15. ^ "Hammers capture Ba". West Ham United F.C. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  16. ^ "Hoffenheim striker Demba Ba fails Stoke City medical". BBC Sport. 15 January 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  17. ^ "West Ham sign Senegal striker Demba Ba until 2014". BBC Sport. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  18. ^ "West Ham 0 – 1 Birmingham". BBC Sport. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  19. ^ "West Brom 3 – 3 West Ham". BBC Sport. 12 February 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  20. ^ "West Ham Stats 2010–11". Soccerbase. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  21. ^ McNulty, Phil (15 May 2011). "Wigan 3–2 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  22. ^ "Ba Seals United Move". Newcastle United F.C. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  23. ^ "Newcastle 0–0 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  24. ^ "Newcastle 3 – 1 Blackburn". BBC Sport. 24 September 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  25. ^ Magowan, Alistair (31 October 2011). "Stoke 1 – 3 Newcastle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  26. ^ Jolly, Richard (31 October 2011). "Richard Jolly: Newcastle's lasting impression". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  27. ^ "ESPN.com's all-Prem team (so far)". ESPN.com. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
  28. ^ "Baggies extend Toon's winless run". ESPN Soccernet. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  29. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (21 December 2011). "Newcastle 2 – 3 West Brom". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  30. ^ Chowdhury, Saj (4 January 2012). "Newcastle 3 – 0 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  31. ^ Domeneghetti, Roger (5 January 2012). "Newcastle 3–0 Manchester United". Morning Start. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  32. ^ "Newcastle Sign Papiss Cisse". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  33. ^ "Newcastle's Demba Ba & Demba Cisse to return early from Africa".
  34. ^ Taylor, Louise (5 February 2012). "Newcastle's 'Double Demba' prove too hot for Aston Villa to handle". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  35. ^ Marshall, Anthony. "Demba Voted Best Signing". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  36. ^ "Losing start for Villas-Boas". Sky Sports. 18 August 2012.
  37. ^ "Everton 2–2 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  38. ^ "Reading 2–2 Newcastle". BBC Sport. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
  39. ^ Bascombe, Chris; Edwards, Luke (31 December 2012). "Chelsea's move for Demba Ba stalls". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  40. ^ Edwards, Luke (2 January 2013). "Demba Ba heading to Chelsea from Newcastle as £70,000-a-week deal breaks transfer deadlock". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  41. ^ "Ba transfer completed". Chelsea F.C. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  42. ^ "Chelsea's Demba Ba scores two on his debut in rout at Southampton". The Guardian. 5 January 2013.
  43. ^ "Chelsea 2 Southampton 2: Who can Pep up Blues? Not Rafa, say angry fans after draw". Daily Mail. 16 January 2013.
  44. ^ "Newcastle 3 - 2 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  45. ^ "Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez ended a turbulent week with the satisfaction of victory as West Bromwich Albion were beaten at Stamford Bridge". BBC Sport. 2 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  46. ^ "Chelsea 1-0 Man United: Unforgettable Ba strike settles rather forgettable FA Cup replay". Mirror. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  47. ^ a b Demba.html "Demba Ba". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 5 January 2013. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  48. ^ Cass, Bob (5 May 2012). "We must embrace religion, says Newcastle boss Pardew as he considers introducing prayer room". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
  49. ^ Smithfield, Jackie (24 July 2012). "Ramadan A Positive For Cisse and Ba?". Dadyal Online. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  50. ^ Ladyman, Ian (5 November 2011). "'The No 9 shirt doesn't score, it's the player' says Toon star Ba". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  51. ^ "Ba – I don't need No.9 shirt". Sky Sports. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  52. ^ Edwards, Luke (7 July 2011). "Newcastle striker Demba Ba sets to fill Andy Carroll void at St James' Park". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
  53. ^ Raising the Ba. Sky Sports. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
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