With Newcastle’s terrible start to the season and money available to spend, it’s almost certain that Newcastle will try to bring in at least a center-back and a striker in January.
We just hope by that time that the team has settled down and become a lot more resilient than it’s been in the first eight games which have not been good in terms of getting points.
Andrea Ranocchia – 6’5″ Inter center-back
Newcastle have only three points, but our play has warranted more than that but once the team is bottom of the league – bad press and doom and gloom are surrounding the club.
And that’s what’s happening now and we need to get some wins under out belt – otherwise things will only get worse.
Newcastle have been linked with Schalke center back Joel Matip and Wolfsburg’s Robin Knoche but there are reports coming out of Italy that Inter-Milan center back Andrea Ranocchia remains unsettled and could be available in January.
Inter-Milan have had a good start to the season and after seven games played they are second top of the league with 16 points just behind Lazio, who have 18 points.
Champions Juventus are below mid-table with 8 points – so they have made a poor start this season.
Ranocchia was appointed captain of Inter at the start of last season, replacing the retired Javier Zanetti, and in June he agreed to extend his contract four more years until 2019.
But he is no longer the captain since Roberto Mancini arrived on board and is not getting much playing time under the new manager.
There’s a decent possibility he will be available in January with some other clubs also interested and Southampton failed to sign him on the last day of the summer transfer window.
Everton were interested in the player, but it looks like John Stones is staying with the Merseyside club so their interest has waned.
One of the problems Newcastle could have in January is that if we are still at or near the bottom of the Premier League it could be difficult to attract top talent to the club to help strengthen the squad.
That’s one reason the next eleven league games are so important with the next two games being at home to Norwich and then at Sunderland.
Two wins in those games would be great and it’s really what we need to lift the negative mood that’s surrounding the club right now.
The 6’5″ Ranocchia has played 20 times for Italy and would be a great acquisition for Newcastle – if we can get him in – even on loan in January.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
Note: Hi, my name is Ben Rushton, I am 6 years old and want to raise money for the McMillan Cancer Support.
I am going to climb Mount Snowdon with my Mum, Dad and Auntie Nic and I will do my very best to get to the top while keeping everyone updated on my way up. I will be doing this on 18th October 2015 in 2 weeks time.
Please see if you can donate here to help me help other people – thanks.
5 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Oct 8, 2015 at 8:49 AM
Comment #1Ashley Out!
Tsunki
Oct 8, 2015 at 8:53 AM
Comment #2Welsh, last post previous article – you know I think I’d rather not, thanks. 🙂
Tsunki
Oct 8, 2015 at 9:06 AM
Comment #3Can’t see why languishing in the mire of the Premier League would put any top class players off coming here. I’m sure they are all aware of Ashleys sell-on plan and are quite happy to have a leg up the value ladder after a dismal season with us. The unambitious mercenary ones, that is.
Sav
Oct 8, 2015 at 10:55 AM
Comment #4We’ve got a squad full of captains. Lads prepared to wear the elastic armband with pride and pose for team photos. Its a few lads prepared to roll up their sleeves and clamber up the rigging when a squall is blowing up that we are short of.
Lynxie
Oct 8, 2015 at 12:12 PM
Comment #5Lets stop and think for a moment about a captains role here. To cajole, organise, motivate, and lead by example, through various phases of an operation.
Now lets have a look at the hide and seek champion who currently wears the armband. Ducking behind fellow defenders in case that nasty hard ball hits him. Going into a strop and clamming up BIG STYLE when we concede a goal. Deliberately getting himself sent off, to make himself unavailable for important games in hostile environments, such as the derby games…… Norwich city is a game I will be watching with very close interest… (I was at Goodison last year and he ‘deserted’ the cause). Disappearing because he wanted to go and play for a tiny village team in his native Argentina, casually forgetting that he signed a contract….
Finally, when did you ever see him administer a bollocking to Willo? I have seen Timmy Krul do it on numerous occasions….
Captaincy. Get it wrong and you are in big trouble.