Cabaye reveals battle with depression and how words from Wilkinson and Nadal helped him bounce back



He is one of owner Mike Ashley’s favourite Newcastle players, whom the club fought to keep last summer by placing a £25million price tag on his head, but success in England has come at a price for Yohan Cabaye,



The France midfielder and the Premier League club’s captain over the past month in the absence of Fabricio Coloccini has revealed he fought depression after his first season in the country.

Although one of France’s few stand-out performers at Euro 2012 last summer, Cabaye has admitted the gruelling campaign took a toll on his mind and body at the start of this campaign before England rugby hero Jonny Wilkinson inspired him and helped lift his dark clouds.

Back to his best: Yohan Cabaye has struggled to recapture his brilliant first year, until now

Newcastle fought doggedly to keep the former Lille midfielder after his brilliant debut season at St James’ Park.



Cabaye was linked with Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham but Ashley refused to contemplate selling one of his best buys, inspired by scout Graham Carr.

Cabaye, who has just returned from a lengthy lay-off with a groin injury, has admitted not taking his usual summer and winter breaks, led to bouts of depression.

'Depression? I am not afraid to say that. It was that,’ he told French sports paper L’Equipe.



'But I was reassured reading the books of Jonny Wilkinson and Rafael Nadal, who both talked about post-competition depression and the need to have a break.

'Euro 2012 was the first big international competition I had played. It is completely different than what you could experience in daily life with your club.

Fatigue: Cabaye suffered the effects of the domestic season when he joined up with France for Euro 2012

'My season was long in a league where the pace is higher than in Le Championnat. I started with Newcastle early in July 2011 and finished late in June 2012 and, for the first time, I didn’t have any winter break. So then to resume in July 2012 was difficult.



'Maybe it is difficult to start again after a big competition such as the Euros but my body didn’t allow me to do what I wanted to do. On a morning when I woke up I could still feel tiredness. I wanted to think about something else rather than football.

'I am lucky to earn a living with my passion but it was the right moment for a break. So my groin injury at the end of the year was finally not such a bad thing. Maybe that is why I was back earlier than expected.

Help: Books by Jonny Wilkinson and Rafael Nadal helped Cabaye combat his depression

'I asked myself a lot of questions. As long as you didn’t experience it [depression] you cannot understand. But I was not worried.

'My injury allowed me to have some rest, meet my family and friends in Lille. When I was back in Newcastle in December, I knew I felt better but I never complained to anyone but my entourage.

'Physically I feel perfectly fine now and I am keen to fight for the club. I want to give twice as much to save the club from the drop. I want to prove to the fans they can trust me and I can defend the Newcastle colours.

'Now that episode is over, I have much more fun going to daily training. I realise how lucky I am. I felt enthusiasm could leave, and that is most dangerous.'



