Money-grabbing Ba wanted to leave Newcastle for another big pay day ... but Pardew says quite simply "he's gone - good luck to him - let's look to our new hero".
Chelsea activated a contractual release clause of just £7.5 million, but the player (and his agent) insisted on a pot of gold - EACH!
Alan Pardew: "I've been at some big clubs where you don't get an atmosphere like that. Big, big clubs. Even at Manchester United.
"You can go to three quarters of their home games and you don't get an atmosphere like that. It was unbelievable.
"That's what we've got. Demba's going to miss it at Chelsea, trust me.
"Teams do move on.
"This club's had Andy Cole and Alan Shearer, blimey it's difficult to move on from players of that quality and Demba come and did a great job for us, but new stars emerge.
"As well as Sissoko played, with Cabaye it was nice to have our intelligence in the team.
"When to go long, when to go small, when to keep the ball, when to try and get at the opposition. I thought he was outstanding."