It could be that Steve McClaren doesn’t want to bring in a top center-back this summer, and that would ensure that Fabricio Coloccini plays in the game for Newcastle at center-back n with either Chancel Mbemba, Steven Taylor, Jamaal Lascelles or Mike Williamson – if Mike is still at Newcastle come September.
But we are also short of full-backs, which is one reason we didn’t have one full-back on the subs bench over the last few games.
Raphael Guerreiro – Lorient and Portuguese left-back
Paul Dummett is coming back from his hamstring strain, but we need a top full-back who preferably can play on either side and can challenge for a starting position – that caliber of full-back is what we need and it will add to the competition for places in the back four.
Newcastle are again being linked with 21 year-old Raphael Guerreiro by France Football.
Raphael was born in France of Portuguese descent, and he has already played for both the Portuguese U21 side and the full Portuguese side, and he can play in midfield as well as at left back.
The 5ft 7ins full-back would seem to be a decent acquisition for Newcastle if we can get him at a good price, although Lorient President Loic Fery is said to want a big fee for his Portuguese International.
But the fee would be around €12M which is around £8.5M, with other clubs like Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Monaco also said to be interested in the player.
But as Steve McClaren has said throughout the summer, Newcastle will only bring in a player who is the right one – and the price is right – and Newcastle will not grossly overpay for players as some other Premier League clubs have done this summer.
While center-back is a weakness, if Coloccini, Chancel Mbemba and Steven Taylor can keep up their good form and keep fit this season – we may not be too badly off.
Chancel Mbemba who has been brought in to strengthen central defense – and has looked a good player for Newcastle, although he’s been deployed at right back in Daryl Janmaat’s absence.
But as he gets more games in the Premier League then he will only improve and already seems to read the game well, and is a physical type of player.
Raphael was born in France in 1993 to a Portuguese father and a French mother, and he has elected to play International football for Portugal – even though he doesn’t speak much Portuguese.
He made his International debut last November in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifier against Armenia.
He’s also the type of player Newcastle like to sign – somebody who is young and who can still improve as he gets games in the Premier League.
If Raphael does come to Tyneside he will challenge Massadio Haidara and Paul Dummett for the left back spot.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:28 PM
Comment #1West Ham want Gouffran
http://readwestham.com/2015/08/26/west-ham-amongst-clubs-interested-french-forward/
Blofal
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:33 PM
Comment #2We need a RB not a LB. Dummett and Haidara can play on the left. When Janmaat isn’t playing its Anita or Mbemba on the right… neither of them are fullbacks!!
SPRINGY
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:33 PM
Comment #3i said the other day goofy never looked technically gifted or looked liked scoring a load when he came but his graft earned him a bit of respect…but he seemed to lose that work rate last year..which means didnt have alot to offer
SPRINGY
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:34 PM
Comment #4blofal
agreed mate
ronaldo aarons
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:35 PM
Comment #5Good player, better attacking than defending like the majority of full backs these days. Think I’m old fashioned but I would prefer a full back that is first and foremost a very good defender. Man utd did well with darmian.
Atletico Madrid have signed a player that would have been good for us in dm, matias kranevitter. Remember the name as he will become a very big player for them. 8 million euros too.
SPRINGY
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:36 PM
Comment #6yedlin on loan would do for me if there was a chance
SPRINGY
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:39 PM
Comment #7not much 8 mill euros…bargain if he’s as good as you reckon ronaldo
ronaldo aarons
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:47 PM
Comment #8Springy
Just think of a young makelele and you’d have this guy. Has a few flaws as you’d expect for 21-22 year old but once they’ve been ironed out he’ll be off to bayern Munich or something. He should adjust to european football, well I think he will.
nightfa11
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:50 PM
Comment #9We dont need him..and for 12 mio? Unless they take marveaux, obertan, goufrann off our books in exchange deal
WWSBRD
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:50 PM
Comment #10Bringing him in allows Dummy to go CB full time then am all for it
Pizzicato The New Texas Geordie
Aug 26, 2015 at 10:52 PM
Comment #11If Goofy could be transitioned to be the new Guti…
RolandoOverhead
Aug 26, 2015 at 11:13 PM
Comment #12Why oh why do people still mention Dummer when talking about left back? Rob Elliot would be just as capable if not more so. Dummer has 0 pace, whenever pardew played him as lb he was left for dead whenever he ventured into the opposition’s half. Aaron has shown far more promise in that role!