We had hoped that there would be significant progress with contracts by now at Newcastle. That hasn’t been the case.
Martin Dubravka signed his new six-year deal towards the end of October. It is now almost four months later, and no other senior member at the club has put pen to paper on an extension.
That is despite having four key Magpies with contracts that run out in just over four months. We all know the situation with young Matty Longstaff, and the lack of positive updates with him is concerning.
There are also Karl Darlow, Javier Manquillo, and Federico Fernandez, who can walk away for nothing this summer. However, the club does hold an option to keep Federico for another year.
Whether any of the three are in the club’s future is uncertain at the moment.
The Shields Gazette have published some comments made by Steve Bruce about the lack of movement on contract renewals at Newcastle.
He mentioned two players the club will make decisions on in the coming months.
“All of those things will now start to run now the transfer window has ended. These last two, three, four months, (there are) conversations to be had.
“Fed is another one who has played very, very well for me, so has Manquillo. They’re both (out of contract), and conversations will be had.”
Lee Charnley has his work cut out for him to get these players signed up if that’s what is decided. There are so many decisions on contracts even beyond the ones who can leave this summer.
We get the feeling we’ll be at this same point next year with players like Fabian Schar, Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Ciaran Clark, and Matt Ritchie.
What Will Be The Result At Arsenal On Sunday?
- Loss (44%, 1,119 )
- Draw (29%, 735 )
- Win (27%, 694 )
Total Voters: 2,548
10 comments so far
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 15, 2020 at 11:29 AM
Comment #1Unused sub put forward the idea that the current contractual “crisis” (I suppose we can call it that the nearer we get to season end) is part and parcel of a conscious effort to disassemble Benitezs squad and assemble one according to the preferences of Bruce. While that in itself is alarming and gives a deep foreboding of NUFCs future as a champion only of mediocrity and anchored stability in the still waters of mid-table, I think the actual purpose is much worse.
Ashley’s advisors have long since set out the optimum model for running nufc as his personal wealth generator. Pin yourself into the Premier League, accrue steady TV income, fixed input outsourced facilities, leverage free advertising for your other main core business and avoid profit – sapping competitions that are statistically not worth the speculation.
Pursuant to that, Charnley and his team are tasked with player acquisition by crunching the stats and numbers on the overall potential sell-on, year-on-year, which should at the very worst still yield break even and leave the club safely afloat while the above business model rolls on in profitability.
This means Bruce, or any other grateful yes-man with a shot at top level management gets what he’s given, and does his job to keep at said moderate league position. If he can’t, he will be replaced by another. That is why he is called a “Coach”
I doubt the club will ever find themselves in the position of players being recruited by a manager for the purpose of sporting success.
Captain AmeriMag
Feb 15, 2020 at 11:31 AM
Comment #2Bruce was asked about the takeover and contracts at the end of his press conference and gave the usual “nothing to report from me” response as to be expected.
The way he answered it though, the look on his face, the twinkle in his eye said to me he knows a takeover is at an advanced stage.
I don’t claim to be a body language expert but I am pretty good at poker and he had the distinct look of a man with a straight flush trying to make you think his bet is a bluff.
We’re going all in boys!
#cans
Genjikai
Feb 15, 2020 at 11:31 AM
Comment #3Lilo
Ronaldo is getting used to shift life.
Stick in there buddy they may hurt at first but youll reap the rewards of only working 160 days in a year.
#freedom
Bants
Feb 15, 2020 at 11:32 AM
Comment #4Trawling through yesterday’s blog craic and:
Hello Hello,
Geordie Aggro!
Geordie Aggro!
I find Tom calling out Jail to a fight with screwdrivers.
Proper old school!
Is Eddie Hearn still in the toon?
Let’s get it on PPV.
Cans in the fridge. Liver & onions in the pan.
Fight night!
Better than Fury v Wilder.
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 15, 2020 at 11:33 AM
Comment #5This is why the “purples” system was devised. This is management / financial selection of playing staff, nothing in it involves the coaching staff. The team manager does not have first input, he merely makes requests and alerts to shortfalls and the hierarchy “consider” them. The scouting staff are merely tasked with getting as good value for prescribed money as possible for each position the “club” seems necessary to maintain.
Big Bruce Stars.
Feb 15, 2020 at 11:35 AM
Comment #6Captain Amerimag – I’m pretty certain, as most of us probably are, that you are another persona such as carl, on the wind up. It would be really good if you put this takeover crap and your sunny side up lampooning away now. It’s doing no good and you’re frankly a pest.
Bants
Feb 15, 2020 at 11:42 AM
Comment #7Even pushing 70 I reckon Tom will ‘knack him’
Don’t mess with the North Shields Aggro!
Genjikai
Feb 15, 2020 at 11:48 AM
Comment #8Bants
I like toon22s duff them up.
I think tom would duff jail up?
Captain AmeriMag
Feb 15, 2020 at 11:59 AM
Comment #9@Tsunki
I take it you don’t want to borrow my Cardboard Carla then??
DaveD1000
Feb 15, 2020 at 12:15 PM
Comment #10We are not the only ones with players at the end of contracts
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51511252