Newcastle United’s transfer policy over recent years has been somewhat underwhelming – in fact, for 18 months not a single permanent player was brought in to the club at one stage. After Graham Carr hit headlines with some shrewd signings, the wheels slowly began to come off for the North East side and miserable derby defeats, across two miserable seasons, with an utterly miserable manager are what followed. Things were pretty miserable at St. James’ Park, then.
With a whole host of first-teamers expected to leave the club this summer, Newcastle have been linked with some exciting names for the first time in what feels like forever. QPR hit-man Charlie Austin is reported to be at the top of Steve McClaren’s wish list, along with Shalke 04 centre-back Joel Matip. The Magpies desperately need to strengthen at centre-forward and centre-back, with some absolutely laughable performances last year resulting from their shortcomings in both areas, making these two links increase pulse rates on Tyneside.
So, in typical Newcastle United fashion, they’ve reportedly set their sights on a deal for an attacking midfielder. PSV Eindhoven’s Georginio Wijnaldum would no doubt be a welcome addition to an ever so bleak Newcastle side, but he really is not what they need. Yes, Moussa Sissoko is being linked with a move away from the club, but time should be spent trying to secure reinforcements in the areas Newcastle are so desperately short in.
You would think after they once went 18 months without a signing, Newcastle fans would be chomping at the bit to get a talented young attacker into the club. An exciting potential signing no doubt, but with the a few other Premier League teams in the hunt for Austin, his signing should take precedence.
The Toon Army have a rich history in iconic number 9s. Not for a second can you instantly class Austin in that particular league of extraordinary gentleman, but his signing would instantly lift spirits at the club. After almost two years of constant doom and gloom, signing a man who scored 18 goals last season may be the perfect remedy. The recent England international is what Newcastle need.
The decision not to replace Mapou Yanga-Mbwia last season came back to bite Newcastle on the bottom. Mike Williamson and Paul Dummett were left next to Fabricio Coloccini (though I’m not entirely convinced he hasn’t been swapped for a twin with little footballing ability) last term, and we saw what happened. The need to enforce the defence is far more pressing than replacing a player who hasn’t even left the club yet. Jamaal Lascelles can’t do it all and the less said about Steven Taylor the better.
Signing a player of Matip’s quality is another top priority for the Newcastle board. Plying his trade in Germany, the centre back made an average of 1.8 tackles per game – a marked improvement on the likes of Williamson and Dummett.
It has not been long since Newcastle were regarded as the best buyers in the league, but their pursuit of everything other than options they desperately need shows the decline of the club over the last few years. Even when the centre forward issue is addressed there’s the reported link to Mario Balotelli. No thank you.
Newcastle’s approach appears to be akin to revising all the topics you are confident on before an exam, while ignoring all the ones you actually need to – just to make yourself feel better. Should Newcastle not address their most pressing issues, they will fail this exam.
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