Demba Ba

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Demba Ba
Demba Ba BJK'14.JPG
Ba playing for Beşiktaş in 2014
Personal information
Full name Demba Ba[1]
Date of birth (1985-05-25) 25 May 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth Sèvres, France
Height Script error: No such module "person height".
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Shanghai Shenhua
Number 9
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)
2013–2014 Chelsea 33 (7)
2014–2015 Beşiktaş 29 (18)
2015– Shanghai Shenhua 22 (13)
International career‡
2007– Senegal 19 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 May 2016
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 29 March 2015

Demba Ba (born 25 May 1985) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua and the Senegal national team.

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 Premier League side West Ham United. He played only 12 games for West Ham and despite being their league top goal scorer in the 2010–11 season, they were relegated to the Championship and Ba moved to Newcastle United. In January 2013, he completed a move to Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, before joining Beşiktaş for €6 million 18 months later.

Born and raised in France, Ba has been a full international for Senegal since 2007 and represented the country at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Early career

Ba was born in Sèvres, Paris and is the sixth child of seven. He grew up in Saint-Valery-en-Caux, Seine-Maritime. He joined a youth club in Montgaillard[disambiguation needed] 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 City 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]

After leaving Hoffenheim, the club's general manager Ernst Tanner stated the club stand by their decision selling Ba.[14]

West Ham United

Demba Ba with West Ham in 2011.

After the collapsed Stoke deal, Ba was sold to West Ham United 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.[15][16][17][18] 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.[19] His first goals followed six days later during his full debut, scoring twice in a 3–3 draw against West Bromwich Albion.[20] 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.[21] 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.[15][22]

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 the 0–0 draw against Arsenal.[23][24] His first goals for the club came on 24 September 2011 with a hat-trick against Blackburn Rovers in a 3–1 home win.[25] 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.[26][27] 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.[28][29][30]

By the time Ba left to play in the January 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.[31] While at the Africa Cup of Nations 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 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 £7 million 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

Demba Ba playing for Chelsea in 2014.

2012–13 season

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 at 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 scoring, Ba scored in a 1–0 win against West Bromwich Albion 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]

2013–14 season

Ba training with Chelsea before a Champions League match.

For the 2013–14 season, Ba's squad number was switched from 29 to 19, his squad number while at Newcastle. In the summer transfer window, Ba was subjected of a transfer bid from his former clubs Newcastle United,[47] West Ham United[48] and Arsenal. Ba was on the verge of joining Arsenal on a season long loan, but the move fell through.[49] It later revealed the move fell through, thanks to Chelsea intervention,[50] though Ba, himself, considered moving to Arsenal.[51]

He scored his first goal of the season after coming on as a substitute in Champions League match against Schalke in a 3–0 victory.[52] Ba's first Premier League goal of the season sealed Chelsea's 3–1 victory over Southampton.[53] He made his first Champions League start on 11 December 2013 and he scored the only goal of the game, as Chelsea won 1–0 against Steaua București.[54] On 8 March 2014, he scored twice after coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in a 4–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.[55]

On 8 April 2014, Ba scored an 87th-minute goal in the Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Paris Saint-Germain to send Chelsea through to the semi-finals.[56] On 13 April, he scored the winning goal as Chelsea won 1–0 at Swansea City.[57] On 27 April, during Chelsea's third final match against Liverpool, Ba scored and Chelsea won the game 2–0, helping them to stay in the race for the Premier League title.[58] Having only scored 14 goals since his arrival in January 2013, Ba fell behind fellow strikers Samuel Eto'o and Fernando Torres, having spent most of the season being on the sidelines.[59] After the arrival of Diego Costa in the summer, Chelsea decided to allow Ba to search for a new club despite his intention to stay for the 2014–15 season.[60]

Beşiktaş

Demba Ba, with former teammate John Terry in 2014.

On 16 July 2014, Beşiktaş J.K. of the Turkish Süper Lig signed Ba from Chelsea for €6 million.[61][62] He was given the number 9 shirt.[63]

Ba made his official competitive debut for the club against Feyenoord in the first-leg of third qualifying round of the 2014–15 UEFA Champions League, coming on as a substitute for Oğuzhan Özyakup in the 59th minute, as the match ended 2–1 for Beşiktaş.[64][65] In the second-leg in Istanbul, which was the first time he was in the starting eleven, Ba scored three goals, marking his first hat-trick with the Turkish club in which ended 3–1.[66][67][68] On 19 August, Ba tried a straight shot right after the kick-off, which was saved by Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny at Play-off Round first leg, which ended 0–0.[69]

Ba made a great start to Turkish top flight and scored 8 times in 10 games for Besiktas over the first twelve weeks of the season. In UEFA Europa League, Ba proved to be instrumental for Besiktas' success and managed to score 5 times in 5 games while Besiktas advanced for the knockout phase.

Shanghai Shenhua

On 28 June 2015, it was confirmed that Ba had signed a three-year deal with Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua.[70]

International career

Ba has played a total of 17 games and scored four goals[71] for Senegal, the country of his parents,[72] including on his debut against Tanzania in June 2007. He represented the nation at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, playing all three matches as they were eliminated from Group A with three defeats.

Personal life

Ba is a practising Muslim.[73] He observes fasting during the Islamic month of Ramadan, along with celebrating his goals by performing the Sujud.[74]

Shirt number

Ba had the squad number 29 and later 9 while at Hoffenheim, and 21 at West Ham United.[75] 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.[76][77] 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.[78] After joining Chelsea, he was again given squad number 29, with Paulo Ferreira allocated 19. He was given the squad number 19 at the start of the 2013–14 season after the retirement of Ferreira. After his move to Beşiktaş, he was given the number 9 shirt again.[63]

Career statistics

Club

As of 29 November 2015.[79]
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 — — 26 22
Belgium League Belgian Cup League Cup Europe Total
2006–07 Mouscron Pro League 12 8 0 0 — — 12 8
Belgium total 12 8 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 — — 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 19 5 1 0 3 0 6 3 29 8
England total 99 43 8 4 7 0 8 3 122 50
Turkey League Turkish Cup League Cup Europe Total
2014–15 Beşiktaş Süper Lig 29 18 3 1 — 12 8 44 27
Turkey total 29 18 3 1 — 12 8 44 27
China League Chinese FA Cup Super Cup Asia Total
2015 Shanghai Greenland Shenhua Chinese Super League 11 6 5 6 — — 16 12
China total 11 6 5 6 — — 16 12
Career totals 274 134 22 14 7 0 20 11 323 159

International

As of 29 March 2015.[71]
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
2014 1 0
2015 1 0
Total 19 4

Honours

Individual

References

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  73. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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External links

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