Chelsea drags Obafemi towards Toon exit

From Gbenga Ayeni, London - 05.04.2009

Obafemi Martins battles for the ball with
John Mikel Obi during the Barclays
Premier League match between
Newcastle United and Chelsea on
Saturday. Photo Getty ImagesNIGERIAN international, Obafemi Martins has his exit from St James Park confirmed after a 2-0 home loss to Chelsea yesterday.

confirmed after a 2-0 home loss to Chelsea yesterday. Debutante manager, Alan Shearer said after the game that he intended to start next season on a clean slate and that the decision to sell big-earning players if the club goes down from The Premiership remains intact.

With yesterday’s defeat, only a miracle can save Newcastle as the club is currently third to the last on the table.

It emerged last week that Newcastle listed Obafemi and 10 others for massive Toon clearout. Yesterday, the Nigerian striker struggled to make an impact before being replaced by Carrol in the 80th minute.

Last month, Obafemi hinted he could dump Newcastle if the club fails to retain its Premiership status. Newcastle United is desperate to slash its £73 million wage bill and also considers its eleven top earners surplus for recruitment if the club was relegated.

Consequently, Michael Owen, whose £110,000 a-week contract runs out in June, Mark Viduka already considering moving to Australia this summer, and Martins valued £10 million have no more lucrative deal.

Other top earners likely to be affected includes Sebastian Basson, Allan Smith,Joel Barton, Damien Duff ,Geremi Njitap among others.