Newcastle United’s summer transfer window has hit something of an impasse – at least it terms of gossip and rumours becoming concrete stories leading to a new arrival at St James’ Park.
He had always been drawn to the Magpies’ passionate fanbase, their rich history, and the thrill of playing at St. James’ Park. For Eze, it wasn’t just about joining any team; it was about becoming a part of a legacy.
With less than a month to go until the Premier League season kicks off, United have yet to add to the arrival of Lloyd Kelly, John Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos. There have of course been plenty of links to players from across Europe but for now it looks like United will head out on their pre-season trip to Japan without any further new faces
Speaking on this week’s episode of Let’s Talk About via The Everything is Black and White Podcast, veteran Chronicle journalist John Gibson aired his concerns about United’s lack of activity in the market as well as passing judgement on some of those names not only linked but that we know Newcastle have watched over the last 12 months.
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Asked if he was worried about the lack of action so close to the season kicking-off, Gibbo said: “I am a tad, because I’m a great believer in the earlier you get signings in the better. Because you want to give them the maximum time to bed in before the Premier League season gets underway. That’s both in training, tactically in the pre-season games, getting to know your teammates, etc.
“So, in the most ideal world, that is what you want, signings in by the time players return for pre-season training. I’m always anxious when they arrive just before the end of the window, because the season is actually underway then, and they’ve missed all the pre-season
“[Lloyd] Kelly has been a good signing because from day one he reported for training but in an ideal world, we want two signings in before we go to Japan. But of course, it’s not an ideal world – so yes, I am concerned.”
The pair also discussed the future of Harvey Barnes – with the winger’s debut season at Newcastle United blighted by injury. The former Leicester City man missed 31 games across all competitions last campaign but still managed to net five goals and provide a further five for his teammates.
Given his injury as well as the fact that he will be battling for a starting place with Anthony Gordon – Newcastle’s player of the season – there have been questions from some who fear Barnes may prove to be a waste of money at a cost of £39 million.
But podcast host Andrew Musgrove doesn’t share that view. “I can’t wait to see Harvey Barnes fully fit and available to push Anthony Gordon all the way. There’s a lot of questions from a lot of fans. Is he going to be a waste of money?
“How does he fit in? He had a terrible season last season with injuries, so he’s not going to make it. I saw enough last season to feel like he’s going to be a star for Newcastle United and he’s going to be worth every single penny and more than Newcastle United paid.
“He scored some great goals last season, and when he got that run of games where his fitness was all right, he was electric. He’s a very, very talented player. He’s got a lot to offer and at 26 years of age his best years are ahead of him. He just needs to avoid injury.”
The topic of where Newcastle’s transfer priority lies is one that always provokes debate but there seems to be a large consensus that puts forward the right-wing of United’s midfield as the position which needs an upgrade more than any other.
With Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy battling it out for that position last season, it’s felt that a new face must come in and improve the offering on the right with several linked including Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Fiorentina’s Nicolás González.
Gibbo offered up his verdict on both but more than anything called for United to make a statement of intent with whoever they bring in on that flank.
He said: “I do think that Newcastle need a statement of intent. They need a big signing.
“In the way that they spent £60-£65 million to get Alexander Isak, in the way we’ve gone about signing Sandro Tonali for £52 million, we need that sort of impact signing. I know Tonali wasn’t able to make an impact, but he was meant to do so and that’s why they paid top dollar.
“He was top man they say at Milan, and Italian international, so a big money statement. We need another one now. And if we do, we’re only going to get one, it would be the outside right.
“The outside right position is there for the taking, I think if we’re going to make a real statement of intent, like we did when we signed Isak and Tonali, it’s got to be the outside right.
“I mean, if we’re talking about names, the Brentford guy who was mentioned there, we’ve mentioned before, and you’ve talked about how you rate him.
“I’ve talked about Elanga and how I rate him. Another name that comes into my book for outside right is Nicolás González of Fiorentina. Now, he is quality. [Former West Ham midfielder] Don Hutchinson is good judge of a footballer and has watched this guy a lot.
“He refers to him as being like Bernardo Silva. Now, that isn’t bad, if that’s true. He’s a left-footed outside right, which sort of suits the way Eddie plays. He has his wingers playing on the wrong side, if you like, with the foot, so that they then come inside to finish as well, not just go on the outside.
“He’s probably in the price range. If I’m having a punt on an outsider because the Brentford guy, and Elanga is not taking a chance because we’ve seen them in the Premier League, and that’s great, and one of them would do, like Jarrod Bowen would do, but I think that might be overambitious, but if we’re taking a punt on somebody abroad somebody like Nicolás González might well fit the bill.”
