The signings of French-born Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and the long awaited return of Hatem Ben Arfa from injury will give Newcastle a continental look next season; something which is reinforced by the departure of club captain Kevin Nolan and the uncertainty surrounding other key players in Joey Barton and Luis Enrique.
Nolan's sale for a reported £4 million to relegated West Ham looks to have off-balanced the three recent signings, as Ba and Marveaux arrived on free transfers but it is the manner of the Nolan's departure to West Ham, who remain a big club but one who are plying the trade a division below the Magpies, that has raised the most questions.
With 13 goals last season Nolan finished the season as Newcastle's top scorer from midfield and his goals proved crucial in firing Newcastle back into the Premiership the season before. The loss of any teams club captain would raise eyebrows and fans must be wondering what affect this will have on the dynamic of the club dressing room.
Mike Ashley's reported transfer policy, which was ridiculed by Joey Barton before Nolan's transfer, of signing younger players who would then possess a greater resale value is already in evidence this summer. By offloading the older members of the squad who are presumably on the greatest wages and bringing in younger talent, Ashley is taking a risk and Alan Pardew will have to mesh together the new additions and ensure that they hit the ground running.
The seemingly Gallic transfer policy has seen the arrival of exciting new players but how well they adapt to the Premier League remains to be seen, and whether they will be able to replace the key figure that was Kevin Nolan, both on and off the pitch for Newcastle United.
No comments:
Post a Comment