Which wingers could line up for NUFC next season? FIVE options for Rafa to consider

With Newcastle securing the signing of Jacob Murphy and appearing to be chasing a loan deal for Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo, options out wide are clearly a priority for Rafa this summer.

You get the feeling Newcastle will look at another winger in addition to Murphy; so what options do we have currently in the squad and who else may arrive?

Matt Ritchie

Ritchie had a great last season and looks set to be one of the first names on the team sheet next season. One of the problems he often had was being double marked last year with a real lack of threat coming from our other flank, despite the efforts of Gouffran – who has recently signed for Turkish side Goztepe. A similar threat on our other wing should help the balance of our attacking threat, helping Ritchie maintain his success at Newcastle as he gets another crack at the Premiership.

Christian Atsu

Signed permanently following his loan deal last summer, Atsu has good attributes but needs to be more consistent to make a starting slot his own.  He finished the season strongly, capped by an excellent free kick at Cardiff. Good dribbling and pace, he could be used as an impact sub by Newcastle next season. He is a good option to have but we also need more depth if we are to get the quality Rafa wants next year and with Gouffran leaving, he looks a good addition to the squad.

Rolando Aarons

After practically missing the whole of last season, Aarons is back fit and produced an impressive display against Hearts at the weekend, hitting the woodwork twice. He exploded into the first team with some impressive cameos and clearly has ability. I don’t think Newcastle can bank on his fitness though and like Atsu, could be a really useful impact player next year. He may even be loaned out if more wingers arrive, which might be a good thing for him to get regular game time under his belt and develop his durability.

Jacob Murphy 

The new £12m man had a good tournament for England at the under 21 Euro’s and after breaking into the first team last year, finished the season with 9 goals and 6 assists in the Championship. This form, and perhaps scoring in both meetings against Newcastle last season, has caught the eye of Benitez and Newcastle. Highly promising he may be but with any young player there is a risk and patience required. If he can make the step up, we could see him used down the left, with his direct style likely to offer a goal threat cutting in on his right foot.

Other targets

A loan deal for Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo remains on the radar and perhaps Newcastle will still try and re-visit the deal for Townsend from January. Middlesbrough speedstar Adama Traore has also been confirmed as a target in recent weeks. It is an area Benitez clearly wants investment in.

I personally feel we need a Primer League proven winger like Townsend on board, who then can be supported by the likes of Murphy, Ritchie, Atsu and Aarons. That would give us some nice balance and also options in reserve.

Let us know your thoughts on Newcastle’s wide men and who you would like to see arrive this summer?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Simon Riddlesden

Lifelong Newcastle United fan and East Stand season ticket holder. Observations from a supporter who has followed NUFC during Champions League participation and through relegation, taking me from Milan to Scunthorpe.

41 thoughts on “Which wingers could line up for NUFC next season? FIVE options for Rafa to consider

  1. Rafa likes a good rotation policy so I expect to see a few changes next season. It will lessen injury’s which has always been the club’s Achilles heel come Xmas and January.

      (Quote)

  2. I think we can expect a bit more excitement in our play this year. Proper wingers getting crosses and shots in. Looking forward to it.

      (Quote)

  3. We have to get someone to get on the end of the crosses and it is unlikely to be Gayle. Looks like Mitro’s days might be numbered if it is true he has been offered to Lyon so he will have to be replaced. We will need another after that as I think Ritchie was our 2nd top scorer and we cannot rely on him for as many goals in the PL.

    I might be stating the obvious, but at this point our season depends on the strikers we buy.

      (Quote)

  4. Think that’s it for wingers coming in. Rafa wants 4 of everything . 4CBs, 4 fullbacks etc etc so expect another goalie , a midfield player, and 1 or 2 strikers.
    £6m for that Gibson kid eh? Must be some prospect.

      (Quote)

  5. Well Olly, if you read your own blog you know that I agree with Mark Douglas at the Chronicle that there are more and bigger deals to come. Not because I have any inside knowledge but on the logic that Rafa has a blank slate because of paying cash for previous transfers and by switching to installments we can have about 4 times the spending power as if we paid cash. I know I am a broken record but there are so many people who do not see the big picture and if we don’t sign someone for 2 days , or miss out on a supposed target, they get all – Ashley is letting Rafa down and he is going to leave. I know Ashley has form but it is basically Rafa’s club now.

    Now on Mark Douglas. He has written some decent, researched articles and is probably the “tallest dwarf” at The Chronic. You say he might have some contacts at NUFC. Now I can use that stick to beat Ryder because judging by his articles he has no contacts and must have burnt a few bridges. He is the laziest journalist I have ever seen using the well worn(out) template of Gibson and Oliver and just slotting in new names, numbers and cliches. Good work if you can get it, especially with the free preseason junkets he goes on. I know he stayed in the best Hotel in Milwaukee when he was here and I am sure he is having a few drinks at the bar of Carton House even if he is not staying there.

    And you might want to shave off that stubble before doing your skypes Lee. You are not on Holiday.

      (Quote)

  6. Good amount of wingers now, but we need a quality frontman to compete with Gayle who I fully expect to break down with his hammy again.

      (Quote)

  7. I think it could be entirely possible that the next winger/wide player in is Snodgrass – international team mate to Matt Ritchie of course who could put a word in one way or another.
    It wouldn’t blow me away, but fairs fair he’d done a decent enough job I reckon.

      (Quote)

  8. Sharpy17:
    I think it could be entirely possible that the next winger/wide player in is Snodgrass – international team mate to Matt Ritchie of course who could put a word in one way or another.
    It wouldn’t blow me away, but fairs fair he’d done a decent enough job I reckon.

    Not at 10mil mate 31 in sept I think,no thanks

      (Quote)

  9. Icedog: Not at 10mil mate 31 in sept I think,no thanks

    Ice – I know what you’re saying mate, but £10m is peanuts in this market really. I agree though. I’d happily loan him off them, but I don’t really want any of our money lining their pockets.

      (Quote)

  10. N’Diaye m/f has held talks with the toon,but is expected to go and sign for W/H after talks with him in Turkey

      (Quote)

  11. S.Taylor set to sign for Doncaster,some come down for him,last club have not renewed his contact because he only played three games as was injured until end of season,a right bloody sick note made of glass Ime afraid

      (Quote)

  12. About bloody time the African Cup which is in 2019 will from now on be played in summer so clubs will not lose their players mid-season

      (Quote)

  13. D.Murphy has flown from training camp to Forrest and had medical and signed three yr deal which is good contract for a 34 yr old,fee about two mil

      (Quote)

  14. Pissed off that wet spam are about to sign chicharito. 13 million is very little for a player of his proven ability. I know he wanted big wages but surely we can compete with wet spam… he would’ve been ideal … ?? not impressed with Rolan, or Snodgrass… hope we do not sign them

      (Quote)

  15. Icedog:
    About bloody time the African Cup which is in 2019 will from now on be played in summer so clubs will not lose their players mid-season

    Ice – that’s good news then isn’t it mate. It will save a lot of headache for the African players (or managers of).

      (Quote)

  16. Icedog:
    N’Diaye m/f has held talks with the toon,but is expected to go and sign for W/H after talks with him in Turkey

    I really hate to say it but WH have signed some good players this window (or are about to). This lad, Hart, Arnautivic (spell) and Hernandez. All will walk into their first team IMO.

      (Quote)

  17. Sharpy I said the other day I wasn’t happy they got Hernandez, really hoped he’d be our big signing. Flash a lot of cash for a hard up club don’t they.

    The African cup change to summer is likely more to do with African players wanting top club moves than accommodating PL or other leagues. It must put off certain clubs knowing you lose what could potentially be one of your key players for a vital part of the season. Also the risk of injury is always looming while they are away.

      (Quote)

  18. kinda sad to see big Daryl leave too, did a good job for us but a great deal for him at his age at NFFC.

      (Quote)

  19. We’re all still waiting for a couple of marquee signings. Well I am! Lascelles says we’re ready now and the team’s already good enough. Bet that’s not what Rafa’s thinking. We definitely need a real good striker and a playmaker type. A proper DM wouldn’t go amiss either. Surprised Lucas wasn’t it.

      (Quote)

  20. georgio:
    We’re all still waiting for a couple of marquee signings. Well I am! Lascelles says we’re ready now and the team’s already good enough. Bet that’s not what Rafa’s thinking. We definitely need a real good striker and a playmaker type. A proper DM wouldn’t go amiss either. Surprised Lucas wasn’t it.

    Merse and Souness have tipped us to drop, no surprises there then.

      (Quote)

  21. georgio:
    We’re all still waiting for a couple of marquee signings. Well I am! Lascelles says we’re ready now and the team’s already good enough. Bet that’s not what Rafa’s thinking. We definitely need a real good striker and a playmaker type. A proper DM wouldn’t go amiss either. Surprised Lucas wasn’t it.

    they are my thought to a tee,and ginger heed out too

      (Quote)

  22. Id like to see Fernando come in at DM, Ante Coric at CM, Giroud up front and a decent left back to keep Dummett on his toes. Oh and Reina.

    Out is Colback, Mitro, Lazaar, Gamez, Heidara, Saivet, Riviere, Krul and Darlow.

      (Quote)

  23. Never seen him but this Gibson kid must be some prospect. Everton seem to be doing very well with young ones. They got Lookman for £11m, Onyekuru same and now wor kid.

      (Quote)

  24. georgio:
    We’re all still waiting for a couple of marquee signings. Well I am! Lascelles says we’re ready now and the team’s already good enough. Bet that’s not what Rafa’s thinking. We definitely need a real good striker and a playmaker type. A proper DM wouldn’t go amiss either. Surprised Lucas wasn’t it.

    totally agree, except the Lucas part. When I heard Liverpool asked for 500M, I know Rafa will not buy him. Rafa will well spend the amount on a young lad, like Manquillo, but not on Lucas. With his high wage, it is just too much for Rafa’s budget. Same for Reina, I don’t think Rafa ever tried once the price 300M was asked.

      (Quote)

  25. M/U saying Rafa wants Ashley Young I hope not another winger wtf,hope it’s just M/U trying to move him on to some club,we don’t need ant more wingers do we??

      (Quote)

  26. For DM, do you guys forget Samaris already? If we can have him, it could be counted as a marquee signing, I think.

      (Quote)

  27. Kimtoon: Merse and Souness have tipped us to drop, no surprises there then.

    Giant Balloon Heed and disgruntled ex-manager 🙂 🙂 🙂

      (Quote)

  28. funrafa:
    For DM, do you guys forget Samaris already? If we can have him, it could be counted as a marquee signing, I think.

    Only.really decent m/f we have been linked with imo

      (Quote)

  29. Eric Sykes: Giant Balloon Heed and disgruntled ex-manager

    Biggest laugh with sour-heed was at S/Hampton and signed a player of a vid somebody told him about,didn’t watch him train but put him straight into first team what a joke,tv cameras there too lol

      (Quote)

  30. shamrock:
    That frees Costa up Sharpy.

    Yeah, I don’t know what’s gonna happen there mate coz Athletico can’t sign anyone can they?.
    I don’t even know if they can loan him with a fee set.

    I think Llorente is a Chelsea target & if he goes there then I reckon Batshuyi could be freed up.

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *