As the title states, I don’t normally like to single players out for criticism – especially when we’re performing poorly as a whole this season – however something needs to be said about how woeful Christian Atsu has been this season.
After fully recovering from a knee injury that kept him out at the end of last season, he stated over pre-season that fans would see a ‘big difference‘ in him – promising to deliver more goals and assists.
He’s not wrong, we’ve seen a difference in him, but he’s gone backwards if anything.
Looking at his appearances so far this season (most from the bench), I’m struggling to think of a single positive contribution that he’s made.
He’s come off from the bench against Spurs, Man City, Palace and Man Utd and started the cup defeat to Nottingham Forest and the league defeat to Leicester, but to say he’s failed to make any impact is an understatement.
He looks like a confidence player, but his attitude on the pitch seems far too casual and cumbersome. Not only has his final ball often frustrated, he’s often failed to react quick enough or thought not to chase down balls that were there for him to contest.
His last contribution was failing to get his head up and play a simple 10 yard pass to Jonjo Shelvey when we were leading at Old Trafford on Saturday. The negative impact he had on that game was glaring.
Perhaps the fact he failed at Everton, Bournemouth and Chelsea and struggled to make a consistent impact in the Championship was a sign that he wasn’t up to playing in the Premier League – even as a back up option.
Atsu has been an absolute abomination since coming on, yet again.
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) October 6, 2018
I don’t expect much from a £6m player in this day and age, but he needs to start doing MUCH more – both on and off the ball.
We’ve had a number of poor performers this season, though Atsu is probably the worst. Must be quite frustrating for Rafa.
Atsu still has ability, but he clearly isn’t the kind of player to stand up and help us out of the slump, but once the team start winning and he plays among players who are themselves on the up, then his own confidence may return.
Olly, could you find out what the heck has happened to Ki?
Peter(Quote)
Good question Peter!
I wrote a piece on him a week or so ago as he’s been nowhere to be seen in training, hasn’t been making many match day squads and hasn’t played in a minute in the team since Man City away last month.
Very weird – especially when he’s just been selected by South Korea (so he’s not injured).
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
What a totally inept article mate. Firstly, Atsu having come back from Injury has ran his socks off in all the games he’s played since his return and sitting not too far away from him at home against Leicester he was the one challenging and pushing to get us up the filed. Yes, he might not be at his best yet but he’s working unlike half of the team. He’s a trier rather than someone who just works the channels because it’s in his job spec and the gaffa expects that. At least he tries. Have you been watching the ominus one lately? Joselu. Need i say anymore about that enigma? Perez? and the fact that we have no one who you can hang your hat on for goal scoring. I’l be kind and not mention the defence under the wary leadership of our baffling captain.
Atsu, runs and tracks back and tries and is improving…unlike half of the team out there in front of the 50,000 faithful.
Gazza Taylor(Quote)
I’m a season ticket holder too mate and I couldn’t disagree more about his effort levels.
He runs in patches and yes, he did ‘have a go’ at times vs Leicester but that is literally the only thing he’s done in about 5/6 appearances this season.
Did you see him at Forest? His total lack of contribution when he came on as a sub against Spurs, City and Man Utd.
You surely saw how bad he was on Saturday? He couldn’t even make a 10 yard pass.
I agree re. Perez, but slating Joselu is a tad harsh if we’re talking about effort levels? Especially when he’s our top scorer..
Olly Hawkins(Quote)