When you look at some of the potential weaknesses of Newcastle’s current side there are two areas that stand out.
One is the lack of creativity and flair in central midfield and the other is we don’t take all of our chances and that’s led to the loss of points in the Championship and specifically on Tuesday night that was the main reason we didn’t go through to the semi-finals of the League Cup.
So if we were to see only two players come in during the January window to the first team squad, we’d like to see a striker and a creative midfield player brought in.
Youri Tielemans – Anderlecht play-maker
As far as creative players, we have been linked all season with Anderlecht’s Youri Tielemans, who is one of the top young players in Europe and he’s already played over 150 games for Anderlecht and doesn’t turn 20 until May.
With a number of big clubs interested in the teenager he wouldn’t come cheap – maybe we would have to go as high as £15M for him – but he would be a player who can produce immediately for the team.
He could be coached by Rafa Benitez to become a top player in the future.
A cheaper alternative to Youri would be Brentford’s Alan Judge, but he will not be fit from that double fracture of his right leg in January.
And as far as strikers go, somebody who could immediately produce for us in the Championship is Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson.
Callum Wilson – Bournemouth striker
When Bournemouth were promoted in 2015 he scored 23 goals in 50 games in the Championship, so he can certainly score the goals in this division.
Callum has adjusted well to the Premier League and has 8 goals in a total of 24 total Premier League appearances for the Cherries.
So there would be little risk in signing Wilson, but he would maybe cost as much as £25M, with West Ham likely to bid that for him next month.
A cheaper alternative to Callum would be Utrecht’s French striker, 22 year-old Sebastien Haller, who probably would cost around £10M – if that.
Getting in Youri and Callum in January would be two great acquisitions for Newcastle – and long term they would be worth the money.
If you could only bring two players into the first team squad in January, who would you want at Newcastle?
60 comments so far
firebug666
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:30 PM
Comment #41Miles Starforth ?@milesstarforth now6 seconds ago
Ian Cathro hasn’t headed north of the border. Yet. He’s been out on the pitch at the City Ground. #nufc #hearts
Jib
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:32 PM
Comment #42Stephen Martin with his 2 assistants
Tsunki
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:32 PM
Comment #43Wherever he plays you’d still expect Goofy to back up his play with a decent eye on target, against Hull he couldn’t have looked worse, couldn’t hit a barn door with any kind of stringed instrument. He’s pretty rusty for someone once deemed to be a striker.
Jib
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:34 PM
Comment #44Tsunki
You’ve been warned about banjoism before !
Bobbybee
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:35 PM
Comment #45WWSBRD, that’s what makes being a fan so much fun – differing opinions. So far we’ve carried Perez for the majority of his performances and Diame admits himself he’s not playing how he can play. The man in the hole needs to be able to take chances and neither has set the world on fire this season.
Jib
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:38 PM
Comment #46Never mind Cathro – is that Mitro in the background ?
WWSBRD
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:39 PM
Comment #47Bobby
Oh aye Perez has been pretty crap for over a year now and personally I think Diame is being asked to do something hes simply not able too he doesnt look a creative spark he looks like a ball carrier to me but I dont think Gouffran is the answer haha
Plus if Gouffran is moved inside then we have no cover on the wings which Rafa wont allow
firebug666
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:39 PM
Comment #48Mark Douglas ?@MsiDouglas now4 seconds ago
Bit of early team news for you. Rafa’s changed his front two, I understand:
Bobbybee
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:41 PM
Comment #49Anyway, time for a shower before sitting down to enjoy the game. Wherever you are watching/listening enjoy the game and let’s hope for happy faces afterwards. I’ll stick with my optimistic 2-4 result as Forest may try to take us on playing football and we’re the better team. Howay The Lads!!!!!!!!!!! Come on Newcastle United!!!!!
firebug666
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:42 PM
Comment #50Mark Douglas ?@MsiDouglas now5 seconds ago
Looks like Perez gets another chance. Big night for him!
Bobbybee
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:43 PM
Comment #51WWSBRD, just caught that mate. Love to see Callum Roberts get a run out on the wing now that Aaron’s is out for the season. Good winger who can cross the ball. Enjoy the game marra. 🙂
reilly
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:43 PM
Comment #52Rafa bingo.
Darlow, Yedlin, Dummett, Clark, Lascelles, Atsu, Hayden, Shelvey, Gouffran, Perez, Mitro
WWSBRD
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:44 PM
Comment #53Bobby
U too mate
cyprus
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:45 PM
Comment #54Yes we do miss a lot of chances. We need to address that.
But, we get chances. Lots of them. Think about recent years when we needed to convert our one or two chances, else we drew or lost.
We have a problem, but it’s a better one than before.
Great that the game is on TV, again!!
WWSBRD
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:46 PM
Comment #55Good team that
firebug666
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:46 PM
Comment #56Lee Ryder ?@lee_ryder now9 seconds ago
Darlow, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie, Hayden, Shelvey Gouffran, Perez, Gayle. #nufc
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Lindisfarne
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:47 PM
Comment #57Darlow; Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Shelvey, Hayden; Ritchie, Perez, Gouffran; Gayle
cyprus
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:48 PM
Comment #58Is colback on the bench?
Bambams
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:49 PM
Comment #59darlow
yedlin lascelles clark lazaar
ritchie shelvey hayden gouf
diame
gayle
1-0 toon
Jib
Dec 2, 2016 at 6:50 PM
Comment #60Nice try Reilly
😎