Michael Chopra
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| Michael Chopra | ||
 |
||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rocky Michael Chopra[1] | |
| Date of birth | 23 December 1983 | |
| Place of birth | Newcastle upon Tyne, England | |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | |
| Playing position | Striker | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Cardiff City | |
| Number | TBA | |
| Youth career | ||
| 1993–2000 | Newcastle United | |
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2000–2006 2003 2004 2004–2005 2006–2007 2007–2009 2008 2009 2009– |
Newcastle United → Watford (loan) → Nottingham Forest (loan) → Barnsley (loan) Cardiff City Sunderland → Cardiff City (loan) → Cardiff City (loan) Cardiff City |
21 (1) 5 (5) 5 (0) 39 (17) 42 (22) 39 (8) 11 (5) 16 (4) 0 (0) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2002 | England U21 | 1 (1) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
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Rocky Michael Chopra (born 23 December 1983 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is an English footballer currently playing for Football League Championship side Cardiff City. Chopra is of mixed Indian and white descent.[2]
Chopra plays as a striker. He was originally a product of the Newcastle United Youth system. In his career he has spent loan spells at Watford, Nottingham Forest and Barnsley. He has represented England at the Under-15, Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 levels.
In 2006, Chopra made news for scoring the fastest in Premier League history, as he had only been on the pitch for ten seconds after coming on as a substitute.[3] With an Indian father, he was also the first player of Indian parentage to play and score in the Premier League.
Contents |
[edit] Club career
[edit] Newcastle United Academy
Chopra attended Alan Shearer's former school, Gosforth High School, in Newcastle, and owing to his goal-scoring exploits there, and later with the Montagu Boys' Club, was recruited to the Newcastle United academy in July 1993.[4]
In the 2000–01 season, he scored 28 goals for the Newcastle Academy side that reached the FA Premier League Academy Under-17 playoff final. In December 2000 he signed his professional contract with Newcastle. The next season, playing for the Academy Under-19 team, he scored 14 goals in the first nine games of the season, prompting a promotion to the Senior Reserves. He went on to score in the Northumberland Senior Cup final victory over Bedlington Terriers in September 2001. Then in October, Newcastle gave him a squad number. By the end of the season, he had made 17 appearances for the Reserves, scoring seven goals.
[edit] First Team Football
The 2002–03 season started well, with Chopra scoring nine goals in his first five games for the Under-19s and Reserves. In November he signed a new three-year deal with the club, and on 6 November, he made his senior debut against Everton in the League Cup, substituting Lomana LuaLua. The game ended 3-3 but Newcastle lost the penalty shootout, with Chopra missing his spot kick.
He made his UEFA Champions League debut in December 2002, as a substitute against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, and also played against Bayer Leverkusen before he moved on a month-long loan to Watford at the end of March 2003. He scored five goals in just six matches for Watford, appeared in a FA Cup semifinal against Southampton, and scored four goals in a 7-4 win over Burnley.
The season ended on a positive note when he made his Premiership debut for Newcastle in the 2-2 draw away to West Bromwich Albion on 11 May 2003. He also represented England at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.
In 2003–04 season, he played four games for Newcastle before being loaned to Nottingham Forest for a month in February 2004 where he played five games. Returning from the loan spell he played another two games for Newcastle.
In August 2004 he went on another loan, this time to Barnsley. Playing in 39 matches in the League One, he scored 17 goals, including hat-tricks against Peterborough United and Huddersfield Town. He also represented Barnsley in the FA Cup and the League Cup, finishing as the club's top scorer and their Player of the Season.
Chopra began the 2005–06 season back in Newcastle's first team squad and played in early UEFA Intertoto Cup ties, scoring his first senior goal for Newcastle in the 3-1 win away to Slovakian side Dubnica on 17 July 2005. On 17 April 2006 Chopra scored his first Premier League goal against Sunderland in the 60th minute of the Tyne-Wear derby, which ended 1-4. The goal was the fastest in Premier League history, as Chopra had only been on the pitch for ten seconds after coming on as a substitute.[3]
[edit] Cardiff City
On 14 June 2006 Chopra joined Cardiff City for £500,000 after turning down a new one-year contract at Newcastle in favour of guaranteed first-team football. Chopra and Cardiff had an excellent start to the season, with 36 points from 17 games leaving Cardiff top of the Championship and Chopra, with seven league goals was voted Championship player of the month for September and October. Chopra scored his first Cardiff hat-trick on 27 January 2007 against Leicester City in a 3-2 victory.
Chopra signed a contract extension with Cardiff City on 5 April 2007,[5] and was named to the PFA Championship Team of the Year on 22 April.[6] Although Cardiff dropped out of promotion contention, Chopra had a successful season, ending with 22 goals from 42 matches.
[edit] Sunderland
On 13 July 2007, newly promoted Premier League side Sunderland agreed a deal worth up to £5 million, activating a release clause, to sign Chopra on a four year contract.[7] This caused unrest among some Sunderland fans due to the seemingly high price-tag and his Geordie roots.[8]
Chopra made his debut for Sunderland in their 1-0 win over Eircom League side Bohemians. In this match Chopra missed an open goal and ran into his own team mate Dickson Etuhu. Chopra scored his first goal for Sunderland in a 4-0 friendly victory over Galway United. His first competitive goal for Sunderland came in his first competitive match for the club, and was the first goal of the 2007-08 Premier League season, when Chopra came on as a substitute late in the second half and scored the winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur in injury time with 13 seconds remaining on the clock. This led to many Sunderland fans chanting 'Chopra's one of us!' Chopra also scored in the second Premier League match of the season against Birmingham.
Chopra could have scored against former side and childhood club Newcastle United but his goal drought continued after his header collided with the bar from only five yards out. Chopra finally scored against Reading from the penalty spot on 23 December, sending Marcus Hahnemann the wrong way to end his goal drought.[9] He scored a goal for Sunderland in their 1–0 win away to Aston Villa.[10], making it their first away win in the Premier League since they defeated West Bromwich Albion in 2006.[11] He scored his sixth and final of the season in Sunderlands 3–2 win over local rivals Middlesbrough,[12] finishing as the second highest scorer at the club being just one goal behind Kenwyne Jones.[13] As he returned from suspension, he scored a brace in his first game of the 2008–09 season as Sunderland beat Middlesbrough 2–0 on 20 September 2008.[14]
[edit] Return to Cardiff
On 6 November 2008, after several days of speculation, it was confirmed that Chopra had re-joined former club Cardiff City on a two-month loan deal, set to run until 31 December, due to hamstring injuries to the clubs two first choice strikers, Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd.[15][16] He made his return to the Cardiff side just two days after his loan deal was completed, playing a full 90 minutes during a 1-0 away defeat against Queens Park Rangers. His first goal since returning to the club came just a week later in his second match, his first at home, when he converted a penalty, which he had won himself, during a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, although he did miss a second penalty in the final minute of the match late into stoppage time.[17]
Chopra made a total of 11 appearances for the club scoring 5 times, making his last appearance in a 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle on 28 December. His loan spell officially came to an end on 31 December and, despite both Chopra and Cardiff hoping for an extension to the deal, recently appointed Sunderland manager Ricky Sbragia stated that Chopra would be returning to Sunderland.[18][19] However after spending one month back at Sunderland, he returned to Cardiff on the final day of the transfer window, with the deal being completed just 55 seconds before the transfer window closed. He made his third debut for Cardiff in a 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on 22 February, scoring the teams first goal of the game,[20] and went on to score in two of the next three matches for the side. Chopra initially signed on loan, but signed permanently once his loan deal expired in July for a fee of £3 million.[21][22][23] The transfer smashed the club's transfer record which was previously held by the £1.75 million signing of Peter Thorne from Stoke City in 2001.[24]
[edit] International Career
Despite being born in England, Chopra is eligible to play for India through his father.
[edit] Personal life
Michael appeared in OK! magazine in the UK in October 2007 announced he had become engaged to Heather Swan, and that they were expecting their first baby. On 15 February 2008, they welcomed a 6lbs 10oz baby boy, Sebastian Rocco Thomas Chopra[25]. In July, it was reported that the couple had split only weeks after their £250,000 wedding [26], but they were later reported as together again.
On Thursday 28 August 2008, it was announced that he had checked into a rehab including some time at the Sporting Chance clinic,[27] in an attempt to overcome his personal problems.[28]
[edit] Career statistics
- Last updated 3 May, 2009[29]
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| England | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||||
| 2002-03 | Newcastle United | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Watford | First Division | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | |
| 2003-04 | Newcastle United | Premier League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Nottingham Forest | First Division | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2004-05 | Newcastle United | Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Barnsley | League One | 39 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 17 | |
| 2005-06 | Newcastle United | Premier League | 13 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 3 |
| 2006-07 | Cardiff City | Championship | 42 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 22 |
| 2007-08 | Sunderland | Premier League | 33 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 6 |
| 2008-09 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2008-09 | Cardiff City | Championship | 27 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 9 |
| Total | England | 175 | 63 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 188 | 67 | |
| Career Total | 175 | 63 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 188 | 67 | ||
[edit] References
- ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946-2005. Queen Anne Press. pp. 119. ISBN 1852916656.
- ^ Wilson, Zack (2009-02-02). "Michael Chopra to join Cardiff City". Goal.com. http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2009/02/02/1090552/michael-chopra-to-join-cardiff-city. Retrieved on 2009-05-15.
- ^ a b "Sunderland 1-4 Newcastle". BBC Sport (bbc.co.uk). 2006-04-17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4906562.stm. Retrieved on 2008-03-24.
- ^ Hardy, Martin (2007-07-12). "That's what Sunderland think Chopra is worth just a year after Newcastle sold him for only £500,000". Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=467810&in_page_id=1779. Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
- ^ "Chopra signs contract extension". BBC Sport (bbc.co.uk). 2007-04-05. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/6527253.stm. Retrieved on 2007-04-05.
- ^ "Ronaldo secures PFA awards double". BBC Sport (bbc.co.uk). 2007-04-22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6582201.stm. Retrieved on 2007-04-22.
- ^ "Sunderland wrap up Chopra signing". BBC Sport (bbc.co.uk). 2007-07-13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/6291244.stm. Retrieved on 2007-07-13.
- ^ White, Duncan (2007-08-13). "Geordie Chopra wins over Sunderland faithful". Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2318757/Geordie-Chopra-wins-over-Sunderland-faithful.html. Retrieved on 2009-05-15.
- ^ Alexander, Nick (2007-12-23). "Reading 2 Sunderland 1". http://www.safc.com/match/?page_id=13849&fixture=2847972&t=3. Retrieved on 2007-12-31.
- ^ Phil McNulty. "Aston Villa 0–1 Sunderland". BBC Sport (bbc.co.uk). http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7298167.stm. Retrieved on 2008-03-24.
- ^ "BBC Sport, West Brom 0-1 Sunderland". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4612222.stm. Retrieved on 2008-03-24.
- ^ Taylor, Julian (2008-04-26). "Sunderland 3-2 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7356054.stm. Retrieved on 2008-09-20.
- ^ "Michael Chopra". 4 The Game. http://www.4thegame.com/club/sunderland-fc/player-profile/27273/michaelchopra.html. Retrieved on 2008-09-20.
- ^ Phillips, Owen (2008-09-20). "Sunderland 2-0 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7613921.stm. Retrieved on 2008-09-20.
- ^ "Chopra returns on loan to Cardiff". BBC Sport (bbc.co.uk). 2008-11-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7704904.stm. Retrieved on 2008-11-06.
- ^ "Chopra deal completed:He's back" Cardiffcity.co.uk Retrieved on 6 November 2008
- ^ "Cardiff 2-1 Crystal Palace" BBC Sport Retrieved on 15 November 2008
- ^ "Sbragia ends Chopra's loan spell" BBC Sport Retrieved on 31 December, 2008
- ^ "New Sunderland boss set to recall Chopra" Walesonline.co.uk Retrieved on 31 December, 2008
- ^ "Wolves 2-2 Cardiff" BBC Sport Retrieved on 4 March, 2009
- ^ "Chops on the dot" cardiffcityfc.co.uk Retrieved on 2 February, 2009
- ^ "Michael Chopra signs for Cardiff City" Walesonline.co.uk Retrieved on 2 February, 2009
- ^ "Striker Chopra to be a record signing for City". Western Mail. 2009-07-01. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/cardiff-city-fc/2009/07/01/striker-chopra-to-be-a-record-signing-for-city-91466-24037861/. Retrieved on 2009-07-01.
- ^ "Thorne joins Bluebirds" BBC Sport Retrieved on 3 February, 2009
- ^ "Michael Chopra welcomes first child". The Insider. 2008-17-2. http://oaktree.theinsider.com/news/661622_Michael_Chopra_welcomes_first_child_son_Sebastian_Rocco_Thomas. Retrieved on 2009-5-15.
- ^ http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/latest/2008/07/16/heather-swan-and-michael-chopra-split-after-one-month-of-marriage-115875-20645205/
- ^ "Time away the right tonic for Michael Chopra after scoring twice for Sunderland". The Telegraph. 2008-09-21. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/3043153/Michael-Chopra-hits-brace-as-Sunderland-snatch-late-victory-over-Middlesbrough---Football.html. Retrieved on 2008-10-24.
- ^ Mirror, UK
- ^ "Michael Chopra". ESPNsoccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=16288&cc=5739. Retrieved on 2008-10-04.
[edit] External links
- Michael Chopra career stats at Soccerbase
- BBC Profile as a Newcastle player
- News story on official The Football Association website
- PFA October player of the month award for Chopra
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