It's a never-ending debate: Who would make an all-time Newcastle United XI. If you could pick from all the players who have ever pulled on the famous black and white, who would make the side?
In a deliberate attempt to throw the cat among the pigeons ChronicleLive are asking the question with an international twist. What would the best possible Newcastle United team look like if you could only pick one player per country?
The club have been blessed with some incredible players from all four corners of the globe, but let's get specific. A 4-3-3 formation has been chosen to fit into Newcastle's famous attacking style of the mid-1990s and early 2000s.
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Shay Given - Republic of Ireland
Who else but Shay Given to start in goal for Newcastle. The famous Irish shot-stopper was always a fan-favourite, and made countless impressive saves for the Magpies.
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David Craig - Northern Ireland
Played an incredible 460 games for Newcastle United. Neat, tenacious, reliable and quick, the irony is he’d probably be much more suited to the modern game than the mud caked pitches of the 60s and 70s he operated on.
Fabricio Coloccini - Argentina
A stalwart in defence, and a fine captain during his time at Newcastle. Coloccini was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2011/12 following the Magpies' 5th place finish.
Bob Moncur - Scotland
Having lead to Newcastle to victory in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969, Moncur was an obvious choice. He was as capable of scoring the old goal, too.
Jose Enrique - Spain
Always reliable and was instrumental in Newcastle's promotion to the Premier League in 2009/10, forming an incredible link with his close friend Jonás Gutiérrez and keeping up the good form the following year as the Magpies finished mid-table in their first season back in the top flight.
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Nobby Solano - Peru
Newcastle's most famous trumpet player was adored by supporters. He became irreplaceable under Sir Bobby Robson, scoring some very important goals, especially against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Bruno Guimaraes - Brazil
Despite only arriving on Tyneside in January, Guimaraes has certainly made his mark. Five goals during the second half of the season including a last gasp winner against Leicester and a stunning backheel against Southampton have already shown that Newcastle's new Brazilian looks set to become a legend.
Hatem Ben Arfa - France
A wasted talent perhaps, but no-one can doubt Ben Arfa's ability. He could have easily been one of the best players in the world if things had gone right for him, and who could forget those goals against Bolton and Blackburn.
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Alan Shearer - England
Newcastle United's and the Premier League's record goal-scorer. Need we say anymore?
Demba Ba - Senegal
He only spent a season and a half at St. James' Park, but showed that he was deadly in front of goal in that time. As they say, the streets will not forget his partnership with Papiss Cisse.
George Robledo
Fitting to have the first non-British-registered foreign player to become top scorer in England in our international NUFC XI. A prolific goalscorer, especially in big games. The winner in the 1952 FA Cup Final being an example.
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