Several Newcastle players have improved this season after a full term in the Premier League.
And they will be that much better next season after the experience they have gained this term in what has been an up-and-down season for the Magpies.
One of them is Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles who is now said to be wanted by both Everton and Chelsea this summer, and we covered Jamaal in an earlier article today.
But there are others who have had good seasons in the famous black and white shirt of Newcastle.
Mohamed Diame – has been a revelation this year
One player who has shocked us is Mohamed Diame who has been a revelation in the holding midfield position this year.
Since Mo has just one year left on his contract at Newcastle, we expect Rafa to offer him a new deal in the summer to stay at the club.
Here’s what Rafa has said in the Chronicle about players who have improved at Newcastle:
“I will say there is still plenty of room for improvement for some of them.”
“But sometimes people will not agree and say they are not good enough.”
“But that doesn’t mean they are not progressing. Jamaal has been one of them.”
“Lejeune, who we didn’t know in the Premier League context has also been quite good.”
“Yedlin is someone who has improved, Dummett is very consistent and he is clever, so he is learning a lot.”
“Diame has been playing as a midfielder and everybody has said he is amazing.”
“We knew about the potential of Jonjo and he has improved a lot.”
“Ayoze, for example, is doing things that nobody else can do in the team. He makes mistakes sometimes but he is doing a lot of good things.”
“The others, Ritchie is one that has settled down, we know Gayle can do this and that, but if you want to name one for me it could be Jamaal.
“His progression could be a good reference.”
It will be interesting to see if these players continue to improve on Tyneside – we think they will – as long as Rafa stays.
Comments welcome.
41 comments so far
Jib
May 13, 2018 at 2:01 PM
Comment #41Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Diame, Shelvey; Ritchie, Perez, Murphy; Gayle