According to journalist Dean Jones, Matt Ritchie has been told he can leave Newcastle United in January. Jones told GIVEMESPORT the following on the long-serving Magpie:
“I’ve been told that he is a player that has been told he can go in the New Year.
“I know there has been some interest from America, there are MLS clubs that like him, so that might be an avenue that opens up to him.”
The 33-year-old has made just two appearances this term. While a calf injury that has sidelined him since late September hasn’t helped matters, Ritchie was always going to be a fringe member of Eddie Howe’s squad.
It was perhaps a surprise the winger stuck around this season. He has been keen on moving closer to his family down south for at least the last few seasons. Two years ago, a return to Bournemouth was discussed before then-manager Steve Bruce pulled the plug.
Howe made it clear he wanted to keep Ritchie around for this season in the summer. Though, at the time, he admitted Ritchie’s future was up the air as he stated:
“Matty’s own personal situation he will have his own thoughts. Mine is to try and keep him but it’s well documented that Matty has been away from his family for a long period of time.
“He loves playing for Newcastle and is very passionate about the club. But I think it is unclear what direction we will take this year but from both sides there is a lot of respect.”
With his contract set to expire in the summer, Howe will not stand in Ritchie’s way should a move develop. The head coach will also have to trim his squad to make way for any winter additions that are over the age of 21.
Ritchie has been an outstanding servant with 190 appearances under his belt. He will not be part of the future of the club and it may be best for him to leave in January as he’ll not feature much once he returns from his injury.
102 comments so far
CLINT FLICK
Nov 17, 2022 at 2:48 PM
Comment #81Think it’s buying the stadium not the team.
barkel
Nov 17, 2022 at 2:48 PM
Comment #82Allegedly Toney’s offences were sky’s super 6 & never involved him or brentford.
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 17, 2022 at 2:49 PM
Comment #83As a football club owner he was hopeless for us but he did balance the books.
At this moment in time That is possibly what Coventry need more than any expectations on the pitch.
lesh
Nov 17, 2022 at 2:50 PM
Comment #84EGB
Ashley’s said to have no interest in buying Coventry City FC.
It was reported (in Coventry’s equivalent of the Chronic) that Frasers/ SD are kern to build a massive distribution centre in the Coventry area.
Hey ho
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 17, 2022 at 2:54 PM
Comment #85Lesh
So he is rather shooting the dead horse than trying to save it!
Although on the bright side for the city he might be providing some jobs! 🙄
hibbit
Nov 17, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Comment #86Lesh
always been a Marcos Price kinda guy myself mate 😆
niafron
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:00 PM
Comment #87@DrGloom
Er… I thought Sex, Drug and Rockn’roll was the style of life of every respectable british gentleman.
What a disappointment.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:00 PM
Comment #88I’m assuming he can call it the SD Arena completely free of charge, he obviously can’t fill it full of hoardings, or can he? If he can’t I’m sure he’ll come up with something in their rent that’ll see every inch of space looking like ours did. It’ll then be in his interests to see them in the championship at least so you’d expect him to oust the current owner by “parking tanks on his lawn”
I’d started to type this in a scathing attack on him but would Coventry City fans be entirely unhappy with that if he got them to the Championship then posdibly the PL?
However if he just decides to knock the place down to build a giant warehouse then they’ll be gutted.
magicmac54
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:03 PM
Comment #89EGB
Bill Ashley will only ever look after his huge bank account, everything else in life is only an after thought if even that, he is a horrible grotesque repulsive little man ( FACT )
Zhongguo Geordie
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:04 PM
Comment #90If Ritchie wants a return to his south coast home, Portsmouth are the only ones not in the top flight. Soton, B’th and Brighton all in the top which is quite impressive.
Regan
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:07 PM
Comment #91Didn’t they used to have darts and snooker competitions amongst other things at the Ricoh arena?..
Must have got word about Ashley and that’s why they took it all to Milton Keynes..
Essex Geordie Bill
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:14 PM
Comment #92Magic
I wouldn’t argue with that assessment of him but he does have to manage his assets to acquire that huge bank balance!
Whether it is a football club or a warehouse!
check the toastie
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:20 PM
Comment #93Barkel – if it is the sky super six its a prediction game, its like banning him for doing The Sun’s fantasy football game.
If it is that and i was Toney i would be suing the FA for defamation.
Probably get The Pug as my solicitor.
Essex – asked a question earlier regards can footballers bet on other sports. Definitely as a lot own racehorses. Probably lose thousands at the races the footy lads.
magicmac54
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:21 PM
Comment #94EGB
No worries Bill mate, to be honest talking about Ashley makes my blood boil to 😀 Ok that`s me off to watch the snooker in the UK Championship, have a good one lads HWTL
check the toastie
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:29 PM
Comment #95Ive gambled all me life. Owned racehorses an all. Been in the Racing Post bizarrely as an owner.
You name anything that you could possibly be addicted to and i’m on it.
Understand how tough it is for top sportsman who have been exposed to high levels of Dopamine and other natural highs struggle once there time is over.
Strangely Ronaldo is probably getting to grips with losing the feelings of euphoria. And is hitting out at others. Should take up triathlon. Exercise is the only way for addicts.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:36 PM
Comment #96Looking at the comments by Coventry fans it seems his investment would be quite welcome.
Regan
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:37 PM
Comment #97In other news..
Amazon to revive Australian soap neighbours in 2023..
hibbit
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:52 PM
Comment #98full Mike Ashley Coventry story,so far fans seem happy with the deal,
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63659933
AnyToon in Indiana
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:55 PM
Comment #99Raj – Probably follow both the USA and England teams especially with the player we now have in there but have always had an affinity for most things British that started in the early/mid eighties with music, comedy, and “football”.
Wor B
Nov 17, 2022 at 3:57 PM
Comment #100check…
“You name anything that you could possibly be addicted to and i’m on it.”
EastEnders?
😮
AnyToon in Indiana
Nov 17, 2022 at 4:02 PM
Comment #101Germany would probably be third on my list just with the long list of top keepers they have had over the years as well and style of play….next maybe the Dutch as Ajax and the “dutch drill” were also all the heyday in the late 80’s, early 90’s and had some well recognized players at the time. Just never got into any of the South American squads, or Italy, France, Spain…etc…probably just based on style of play and my keeper background.
Assassins Inc
Nov 17, 2022 at 4:11 PM
Comment #102Rundown.
Ronaldo: It’s not even on Eddie’s radar, he has said he needs people to put their ego’s to one side and gel with the teams family spirit. Verdict: Isn’t happening.
Ivan Tooney: Have nothing on this mater until he’s proven guilty and charged via the EPL / FA. Verdict: To be decided.
Ashley: Will always hate this guy, he treated the fans and people of Newcastle like peasants and the club as an advertising platform for his company. If Coventry fans want him they can have him, they know what he did at our club. Verdict: Time will tell how he does and how the fans see this in a year or two’s time.
Mort being Mund: Don’t think so, don’t really care if Mort is an alt or not, I’m sure he can take care of himself and the people that feel he is attacking them are big enough to throw down if they really want to. Verdict: Who cares if he is or isn’t.
For myself I’m happy that Newcastle are where they are at, I’m happy our club is being run by smart people, I’m happy that some players could be back in the next six weeks. Verdict: After family, only the Toon matters and both are making me happy.