Rafa Benitez is trying to bring in a senior goalkeeper on loan this month, and there is some news regarding the possibility of PSG’s Kevin Trapp arriving on Tyneside.
There are reports in both Italy and France that Roma’s 25-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker may be on his way to PSG.
Becker has played 20 times for the Brazil first team and is an excellent young goalkeeper who moved from Internacional (in Brazil) to Roma in the summer of 2016.
If that move for Becker happens, it could open the way for Kevin Trapp to move on loan to Newcastle for the rest of the season.
Kevin has been capped at all the different levels for Germany, and he has two senior caps; he is keen to make the German squad for the World Cup in Russia this summer.
Kevin Trapp – currently the PSG number two
Trapp will have a much better chance of getting a place in the German squad if he is playing regular first-team football, which he will not get at PSG.
He’s played only three times for the PSG first team this season although when asked recently if he had any plans to leave the Paris club he said he hadn’t.
But things can change quickly in football.
Benitez has also been after England goalkeeper Joe Hart, and Everton manager David Moyes will decide shortly whether the Manchester City goalkeeper can cut his loan deal at West Ham short.
And Newcastle have been linked with Real Madrid backup goalkeeper Kiko Casillas since last summer, and he could also arrive at Newcastle this month on loan.
Of the three we would prefer Casillas, although it takes time (sometimes) for continental goalkeepers to get used to the fast pace and physical nature of English football.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
354 comments so far
Tsunki
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:02 AM
Comment #321I really hate the way stats are treated as sacred without all context being applied. As bobby said, how can you measure a field – splitting ball that tears an opponent in half diagonally and puts us in an instant from defending to right into their penalty area?
Dragon64
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:03 AM
Comment #322cannot see us selling him for only 12million so once again paper talk???
Jail for Ashley
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:06 AM
Comment #323Irony it maybe Tsunki but it is still free advertising nevertheless. As if he hasn’t had enough of that already 😮
Our Toon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:06 AM
Comment #324Fog
Do you not think we habe a better player in merino who can do what Shelvey does but is better at it and he can play higher up as well as tackle?
Our key players for me this season are Jamal, easily our best player and most important player, atsu for his assists and odd goal and merino as he oozes class and is still settling in.
Bobbybee
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:07 AM
Comment #325Crossfire? It’ll do I suppose, but it started life as crossfield 🙂
In this climate of insane transfer fees £12m is a joke anyway.
I’ve noticed in the press that whenever a London club want a player they assume it’s a done deal immediately.
I noticed this ‘deal’ a fortnight ago under a heading something like ‘West Ham ready to sign Shelvey for £12m’ as if we have no say in the matter.
He’s under contract and Rafa has already said Mitro will only go if a replacement is brought in and he never features. I can’t see Shelvey being sold for that price anyway and most certainly not unless someone else is lined up. Love him or hate him – I guess he does divide opinion – he’s still our most influential player on his day.
Merino is still learning his trade and as someone who watches games live, he still makes more mistakes than Shelvey.
Potentially he’s the biz and will – imo – go on to be a real star, but he’s not there yet. I would hate to lose Shelvey, as infuriating as he is at times.
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:09 AM
Comment #326£12 million gets you a one season championship player, unproven, in the summer window in Murphy.
An England international, not yet at his peak, with lots of top level experience, in the January window is worth at least double that.
£12 million would be an awful deal for us – can’t see it happening.
Our Toon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:10 AM
Comment #327Tsunki
How can you tell when a lazy midfielder doesn’t track a runner and we concede because of it? Somethings stats will never back. The most important stat of all is we’ve won more without Shelvey than we have with him.
I think West ham will pull away from the relegation zone as they have to much quality, giving them Shelvey might actually be good for us as he’ll have a bigger pitch to cover and his lack of willing to cover can cause them problems 😉
hibbit
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:11 AM
Comment #328as bobby says love him or hate him he’s definitely worth more than £12m, especially in this market
Tsunki
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:13 AM
Comment #329Jail. I have learned to live with it. 😐
I like to think the irony has lessened more SD sales than it has gained but maybe I credit the blog illuminati too much?
Our Toon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:13 AM
Comment #330Guess we all agree 12m isn’t enough. I’d defo take 20m though
Bobbybee
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:13 AM
Comment #331Our Toon, as just stated, Merino is potentially great, but he loses too many balls just now to be a direct replacement. What happens when he’s injured? We need two of each remember and if we lose Shelvey to West Ham and Merino is injured we’re knackered mate.
We’ve been down the eleven ‘purples’ road before and it simply doesn’t work.
Nufc-83
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:15 AM
Comment #332Our toon I think you need to read bobby’s comment regarding stats and that pretty much puts an end to your argument.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:16 AM
Comment #333Hopefully mine, Tsunki’s and Belfits graveyard will be co signed to the waste him very soon.
Jail for Ashley
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:18 AM
Comment #334Gravatar, consigned and bin.
DubaiMicky
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:19 AM
Comment #335The press, and especially the London based press hate us and belittle us as much as they can – anyone know why?
Re Shelvey, no way will he be sold for £12, minimum of £20, absolute minimum, it’s laughable that our players are devalued and Spurs (for example) are ramped up in value.
Rafa will only sell Shelvey (who he doesn’t really trust anyway) if he can get someone better in or he’s a liability – I’m of the opinion he’s a bit of a liability, but not hugely. Anyone forgot how he sole handedly lost us the opening game with his petulant attitude?
martoon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:20 AM
Comment #336I’m just wondering how many of the ‘Shelvey can go” camp actually go to games? When you are at the match you can see that all our moves revolve around Shelvey, he takes the ball off the back 4 and starts moves as well as linking up attacks – you just can’t get this from stats!
Our Toon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:22 AM
Comment #337Nufc83
The assists stat I read, how do you explain why we’ve won more games without him. Or is that just a false stat as well?
Forget assists altogether for a second, why has he failed to score for us in the league in 31 games of top flight football?
If it was 1 stat then yes I’d forget it but it’s multiple stats and some really important ones. I think if Shelvey play higher up the pitch he’d have more of an affect on the game, he would get more assists but we would concede more as he’s to lazy to get back into position. Everton game being prime example of his brainlessness
clinath@ed
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:23 AM
Comment #338Can’t say I am Shelvey’s biggest fan. When on form his passing and vision are as good as anyone’s, but when it’s not he’s a passenger, and looks like he sulks to boot.
But I do agree £12M is way too low, even I’d keep him if that’s all we could expect
Bobbybee
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:23 AM
Comment #339That’s not a dig at Merino by the way. I think we’ve bought a star there but even now he’s not up to the pace of the PL just yet. He gets caught on the ball too often looking for a pass to make.
As he adjusts to the pace of the PL and realises you simply don’t get four or five touches before a tackle comes in he’ll grow and grow. He’s still a bairn at 21 and nowhere near the finished product, but when he is he’ll be worth a fortune. Let’s be honest, if he was we wouldn’t have got him for that price. 🙂
Under Rafa though he’ll become better than Shelvey imo.
I think Shelvey is helping bring him on tbh. I honestly believe Shelvey does more for the team than he gets credit for, but I think he does want out and we will lose him eventually. Just not now and not to a rival and definitely not for that pittance.
fog on the tyne
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:27 AM
Comment #340Our toon
Merino 100% has the potential to fill that position, but he needs atleast this season and probably into next season to fully understand the english game and to start to unleash his potential, i see a very bright future for the kid with us and internationally, but he just inst ready just yet, and Rafa knows its alot of responsibility to make him the linch pin of the team when he is still so young and learning.
I still wouldnt sniff at £20m for Shelvey pure and simply there is no alternative available, and even if there was you would pay over that for them.
Dubai
I think the local press are against us aswell you only have to look at the Chronicles attempts to put the buffers on the takeover making denial after denial
Jail for Ashley
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:28 AM
Comment #341Our Toon
I remember you complaining last year that we bought too many players. This after years of having a woefully understrength squad where RM’s had to play as LB’s and a certain Mike Williamson played over a hundred more PL games than he should have done. Now you want rid of Shelvey because we have Merino. It just shows you can’t keep all the people happy all the time.
Our Toon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:30 AM
Comment #342Martoon
I’ve seen him a few times this season and have been less than impressed. He has to drop deeper and deeper as teams press higher up the pitch and he’s not good with pressure on him. He takes away the option in midfield for the defence to pass to as he’s essentially sitting in with them.
From time to time his passing is quality and he starts off moves well but overall for the team he’s a liability. In the championship he flourished as teams would sit back against us meaning he had time on the ball, in the PL he’s pressed high up the pitch and becomes frustrated as his 2 red cards have showed this season.
Our Toon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:31 AM
Comment #343Bobby
I agree merino is still very young and has alot to learn, he’s still finding his feet in this league and we should see a more complete player next season.
expatmag
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:33 AM
Comment #344OURTOON
Just out of interest, if we sold him, who do you think we can replace him with for 12 million quid who is better?
Secondly, on the assists front, how many times has he played in the likes of Ritchie Perez Atsu etc ?
Thirdly….his short passing game is maintaining possession is equally as good as his long passing game.
Finally….you are even trying to pass off his wonderful pass to Joselu for the goal v Liverpool as an error assist by Matip……fcuks sake man.
Oh….and one more thing….do you understand the quality of players he is trying to serve? Do you actually watch games?……understand tactics of football?
As Mr.Tuff says, maybe you are more suited to ladies wrestling
Bobbybee
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:35 AM
Comment #345Nobody can seriously defend Shelvey for the Spurs game – just as nobody can defend Mitro for the West Ham game. He does have moments of full moon lunacy that detract from his game immensely. That’s why Rafa can’t trust either player and probably why both are unhappy right now. Their own fault. That sort of petulance is no good for the team overall.
But you can’t sell Shelvey without a replacement being brought in imo. His upside slightly outweighs his downside.
As Martoon points out, he brings more to the game than shows on TV.
For one, he’s always watched. When he sets off for a run off the ball he always takes defenders with him. That opens space for others which can be priceless.
I get his detractors, I really do – I’ve slated him myself ffs for petulant behaviour that infuriates me – but selling him for £12m is crazy talk.
hibbit
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:35 AM
Comment #346fog
the local press aren’t local anymore all part of Trinity Mirror Group which says it all really !!
the company/group the Shelvey story originated from
Our Toon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:37 AM
Comment #347Jail
I did complain at buying to many players that weren’t needed. Sels, gamez and Lazaar were the main 3 I mentioned. Albeit we didn’t spend massive amounts on them but they all managed to play less than 10 games. Was I right to complain or wrong? I guess all 3 are doing a stella job for us both this season and last season!!
Btw I said I’d get rid of Shelvey for 20m to bring in a quality keeper and someone on loan to cover for Shelvey absence. That’s adding bodies rather than reducing 🙂
Jib
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:38 AM
Comment #348Club America play in the Azteca stadium
in Mexico City in the Liga MX
Their manager Miguel Herrera approached
PSV about Luuk de Jong but got knocked
back.
PSV pointed him at NUFC and he is very
interested in Aleksandar Mitrovic
http://www.yucatan.com.mx/deportes/america-buscara-contratar-al-serbio-aleksandar-mitrovic
martoon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:38 AM
Comment #349Our Toon @342 – I agree with you about his temperament and he can get frustrated but overall I still think we should keep him, especially not sell him to a rival for £12m!
Bobbybee
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:46 AM
Comment #350Our Toon, even if Merino does become a load better next season, that still doesn’t allow for injuries. When he was injured and Shelvey suspended we were woeful in midfield.
We need two of every kind of player to compete. One simply isn’t enough. You must always be ready for a disaster and if Merino got badly injured – God forbid – would you be happy with Diame and Hayden? I wouldn’t! 🙂
Our Toon
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:48 AM
Comment #351Expat
Where did I say sell him for 12m?
For the goal against Liverpool I have given him credit but said that the way stats are done it’s taken off him as Matip tackled joselu. Didn’t blame Shelvey for that.
He was serving quality players at Liverpool and his stats weren’t good then, he had bony upfront before gomis and his stats weren’t great then either. They got rid of him as he was deemed to be lazy.
I believe the negatives out weigh the positives in the case of Shelvey, I could watch ladies wrestling but not sure what that would achieve in all honesty. Guess having a sensible debate is out of the question with you. I watch every game albeit not all at SJP, I’ll assume you are in the same boat as me.
Guess for the situation we are in where we need reinforcements for different areas of the squad I see Shelvey as expendable at 20m as the pros out weigh the cons. If we won more with him in the team then I’d change my mind but the fact we have shown we can play better without him and more importantly we pick up more points without him I see other areas that are alot weaker that could be potentially be strengthened at the expense of someone that won’t be a huge miss
Throw Mitro in aswell at say 12m or 15m that gives us 35m to bring in quality in a few areas, be it loans or perm deals
Tsunki
Jan 9, 2018 at 8:56 AM
Comment #352Marmite he may be but shelvey does add something of a radical twist to our game plan. Putting him on completely changes our shape and attitude. Unless we are talking about defenders and keepers (and even then there are mitigating factors,) i don’t really have much time for stats that say we lose more games with a certain outfield player in the team as if it’s that one players fault. Unless it’s Colback ofc.
lochinvar
Jan 9, 2018 at 10:30 AM
Comment #353Dubai@335
The press generally yet alone the Southern Press don’t get us because they don’t understand.
They’re mostly ignorant and have never been part of northern life yet alone supporting a football club over generations.
I don’t comment for example on lifestyle in the Middle East states because I’ve never been there or part of it so don’t prejudge or comment cheaply as it’ would be ignorant to do so.
Most journalists will have been on creative writing courses so making stuff up is normal for them. It doesn’t impress anyone and shows them up for what they are, ignorant.
masterp1983
Jan 9, 2018 at 6:13 PM
Comment #354Listening to talksport and Ashley back to his old tricks. No money.. absolute joke.. Where is the premier league money? Where is the money from Sissoko and Wjinaldam? It is just an absolute joke and i don’t understand how he can get away with it??? Why is he gambling on the premier league again… It just baffles me