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Newcastle United signed Helder Cristovao in what was deemed a major coup in 1999 - and even after only playing just a dozen games for the Magpies he left as a cult hero.

The classy defender scored at the Stadium of Light in a 2-2 draw with Sunderland after helping keep relegation-haunted Newcastle in the top-flight. In short, Helder helped lay the foundations at the start of the Sir Bobby Robson era before resuming a highly successful career in Portugal with Benfica after playing in La Liga with Deportivo La Coruna, then Paris St-Germain.

As two of his former clubs go head-to-head in the Champions League, Chronicle Live caught up with Helder. And he admits he still thinks about some of the lessons he was taught by Sir Bobby every day.

Helder predicts that Jose Mourinho will take a moment to remember Robson himself on his flying visit to Tyneside as Benfica boss.

Helder said: "Sir Bobby Robson's statue was richly deserved. I was there at the start of the project. I think Mourinho will spend a few minutes paying...

Continue Reading: Exclusive: Mourinho still wants NUFC job but faces wait after Howe masterclass

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