Steven Taylor (In an exclusive interview with Match of the Day magazine): "I was like Derek Trotter from Only Fools & Horses trying to speak French.
"I don’t think they could understand me so they just kept agreeing and sticking their thumbs up.
"They must have been, like, “who’s this Geordie guy?
"Moussa Sissoko. He’s an absolute animal on the pitch.
"People say Cheick Tiote is a strong fella but when they see this guy play they’re going to know all about him.
"There’s no player like him out there. He’s not just strong, he’s powerful and a very good passer.
"The Newcastle fans will love him. I think I’ll end up in hospital if I go into a 50-50 with him in training.
"Ha-ha. We did have a French day last week where all the food was French. There were croissants everywhere.
"Yohan Cabaye likes to eat but he’s got to watch his body fat – luckily he runs a lot.
"He’s a little magician. He finds passes that other players wouldn’t even try.
"He’s a dead-ball specialist as well, practising every day after training.
"He puts Tim Krul in goal and keeps sticking free-kicks past him."