For a number of seasons now we have seen Newcastle United dip into the French market for potential talent, filling their squad with a number of players who have graced Ligue 1 but are yet to prove their ability in the Premier League.
Not only the French leagues, but other European leagues have been the preferred option for the Magpies to scour and search, plucking players that could have the ability to do well, but again, have never proven themselves in England.
The virtue of time
It seemed as though Newcastle saw themselves as a club that had the virtue of time to wait for these players to come good. Perhaps having a proven goal scorer in their team that can take the first team mantle while players like Ayoze Perez and Aleksander Mitrovic are given the time and nurturing to become quality players. But this isn’t the case. Newcastle don’t have the luxury of giving time to players. Mitrovic has been the main striker in his side’s starting 11 for most of the season and has failed to consistently produce goals.
It might be a little unfair to suggest that these two strikers don’t have talent, Perez is enjoying his second season at St James’ Park after a £1 million move from Tenerife. The Spaniard has certainly shown that he is value for money after putting in some high standard performances. With possible moves to clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United rumoured in the past.
Mitrovic deserves plaudits too, the Serbian international is still only 21-years old and has certainly shown signs of his ability. Newcastle managed to fend off interest from clubs the calibre of Roma to secure his signature and he may turn out to be a great player for his side in years to come.
Yet this is precisely the issue. Newcastle need talent now, the previous successes of a club don’t count when you’re fighting relegation. A situation Newcastle have become too familiar with. With Southampton recently securing the signing of proven goal scorer Charlie Austin for just £4 million, it’s difficult to see why Newcastle weren’t chasing a deal for the striker.
Hits and misses
Mitrovic and Perez are not the only two players who could have a solid future with Newcastle. Their transfer policy of signing players from abroad has brought around some good players in their ranks.
Papiss Demba Cisse- The Senegalese striker was brought in by Alan Pardew in 2012 to partner his national teammate Demba Ba. The striker proved to be a sensational hit at St James’ Park, scoring 13 goals in his first 12 games. Not just a great goal scorer, but a scorer of great goals. His strikes against Aston Villa and Chelsea being goals of sheer quality, with the latter winning that season’s goal of the season.
However in recent times the goals have dried up for Cisse and his career seems to have stalled due to injury. It appears he will never reach the heights he reached in his first season with Newcastle.
Geoginio Wijnaldum- Although it is still early in the Dutchman’s career, he has already proven he has the talent to be a Newcastle great. He is currently the Magpie’s top scorer this year with nine goals and the 25-year old doesn’t look like he’s finished. He has already joined an illustrious list of players including Sergio Aguero, Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer no less, when he scored four goals in one game as Newcastle mauled Norwich 6-2.
However there have been some players who have proven that a club cannot rely always on foreign imports.
Remy Cabella- The French midfielder joined Newcastle from Montpellier with whom he has won the French title with earlier in his career. He looked like he could have been a great player but for £15 million Newcastle really needed him to perform. The 25-year old played 31 times in the league for Newcastle but only managed a single goal. After doubts that he could cope with the physicality of the Premier League, he was sent back to France on loan at Marseille.
Florian Thauvin- Pretty much Remy Cabella 2.0. His situation and reputation was so drastically similar to Cabella that it almost seems certain he’ll meet the same fate. The winger was signed from Marseille in the summer and so far has not made an impact in the first team. He has been criticised for his work rate and desire to play for the club. A loan move back to the south of France appears to be on the cards.
Is this changing?
The January transfer window has seemed to be a benchmark for change in Tyneside. Despite seeing the arrival of £6 million signing Henri Saivet from Bordeux this window has seen the arrivals of two English international’s and perhaps more importantly, Premier League proven players.
Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend have joined Newcastle from Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. Questions have been asked about their transfer fees but there is no doubt that Newcastle will be happy with the quality of player they have purchased.
Shelvey began his Newcastle career with a man of the match worthy performance in the victory over West Ham earlier this month. Providing the Magpies with a combination of both aggressive but effecting tackles when defending, and delicate creativity going forward. In fact the former Liverpool man had a hand to play in both goals providing dangerous long passes from a deep lying role.
Townsend hasn’t had the chance to show his new fans what he can do. But with the left flank being currently being occupied by Wijnaldum who would ideally be played in the centre, there is certainly a place for the England wide man.
