English Championship: Atsu missed out on number 7 after wasting a penalty kick at Newcastle

Christian Atsu had to settle on the number 30 jersey, after he failed to grab his cherished number 7 shirt, due to a penalty competition he lost to his Newcastle teammate Achraf Lazaar

Lazaar in an interview said''The reason I have this number is because my favourite numbers were 7, 3 or 17. I always believe I have the best chance wearing these squad numbers.

''When I signed for Newcastle, the number 3 shirt was taken by Paul Dummett. After, I looked at what was left and myself and Christian Atsu picked, but Atsu liked 7 too.

''The manager told us to have a penalty shoot-out to decide who got 7. I have had 7 all of my career and this was my chance to get it again.

''I won the penalty competition then I had to say sorry to Atsu because he is my friend!

''I love him but I had to say it was my number!''
Atsu, 24 wears the number 7 shirt at the Black Stars