The Chronicle have ran a story today reiterating that Newcastle will have the chance to sign Jetro Willems for just £10m next summer.
If these claims are true, this should be an absolute no-brainer for Newcastle United based on his performances so far this season. He’s been absolutely brilliant.
His first appearance saw him ball-watch, allowing Arsenal to nip in and score in a opening day defeat at St James’ Park, but he’s gone from strength to strength since that early blip.
Since then he’s bagged one goal – which was a stunner on his ‘weak foot’ at Anfield – and three assists in all competitions. His quality and confidence on the ball has been a real asset, with him regular picking out passes from deep, linking up well down the left and turning out of trouble effortlessly, however he’s been more solid than I expected him to be defensively too.
When he arrived from Frankfurt, two Bundesliga journalists (who we carried out Q&A’s with following news of his loan move) warned that he was suspect defensively during his time in Germany, however we’ve seen very few frailties in that department so far.
It’s fair to say he’s a modern-day full-back who is more attack minded, but he’s certainly not been a weak link defensively, with him keeping Andriy Yarmolenko quiet on Saturday in yet another polished display at both ends of the field.
He’s benefited hugely from Matt Ritchie’s ankle ligament injury at the back end of August, giving him extended run in the side at left wing-back, however the former Bournemouth man won’t be returning anytime soon if Willems’ recent form is anything to go by.
It’s still early days and any permanent deal will no doubt be dependant on us staying up, but £10m for a 25-year-old wing-back who looks at home in the Premier League could be a brilliant piece of business.
After searching for natural left back for several years, have we finally found the one in long-term target Jetro Willems?
Let’s hope so. The early signs are certainly very encouraging.
Undecided on this one. Personally I would consider him backup to Richie. Solid enough but not great. If we sign him fine, if not no sleep lost.
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He’s easily one the best crossers of a ball in our squad. Three assists already. Obviously a lot hangs on his performances for the rest of the season, but he looks sharp. A good attacking threat, and he’s been doing a fairly good job in defense too. We have a lot of left footers in our squad, I hope we sign him up
Rosco(Quote)
when we signed him in the summer it was mention loan with option to buy with clause 5m so not sure where all of a sudden this 10m is being quoted
simon farrimond(Quote)
£5m fo Frankfurt an £5m for Ashley cos he takes nothing from the club
Jaffa(Quote)
Agree with you 100% Olly – solid player so long as he’s a wing back and not a last line of defence in front of the goal.
When he played the ball in to middle against Man U it looked completely wasted and I have to admit to having a bit of a WTF reaction as there was nobody in camera at the time, then steaming in comes Matty Longstaff, making Willems’ ball genius.
While I’m still moist thinking about that we need to give some praise to St Maximin who having ran ahead and not received the pass back from Willems, had enough about him to stay off the pitch, in the back of the net, to ensure there was no chance of offside when Matty shot.
With our gaggle of decent centre backs, a brace of Longstaffs, Shelvey firing on all cylinders (for however long) Almiron and St Maximin gaining confidence and taking people on, and a choice of Joelinton or Carroll up front, even without Ritchie, LeJeune and Hayden we might have the makings of a team capable of survival.
I realise how much that might upset many fans, but hey, I’m such a natural optimist I just can’t stop myself.
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