The Matty Longstaff story doesn’t ring right with me. Unless of course Matty may know something we don’t but would all like to know?
Perhaps he knows that the takeover is on as that’s the only reason, other than money, that he might need to leave.
Alright Udinese do play in Black and White stripes and they are in the North East of Italy and there is a possibility they might get relegated, probably a great possibility than us, but there end the comparisons.
Could it be that if the takeover DOES happen Matty thinks he’ll get pushed down the pecking order? I think that’s a very creditable thought. If the takeover DOESN’T happen then the status quo remains and he’d be a vital part of the current squad.
A squad still under Ashley’s ownership and Bruce’s stewardship is a one that isn’t going to be added to any time soon and would mean Matty has a more than even chance of playing. If it’s new owners, new manager? And new outlook then he may be struggling al a Phil Foden!
So perhaps Watford via Udinese is a better option for Matty although they also could be relegation bound! Why Watford? Well, surely Udinese buying him for £400,000 to “give” to their English club makes sense and Matty would then have more chance of game time.
Or of course it could have nothing to do with game time and Matty just wants as much money as he can get and if that means leaving the family home, his beloved native North East, Whitley Warriors and brother Sean then so be it.
Two faces that we pretty much 100% won’t be seeing in Black and White again are Jamie Sterry and Jack Colback.
Neither has been invited back to training and both look well on their way, with both out of contract this summer. It’s a shame for Sterry who at one time looked a real prospect but not necessarily at Premiership level.
As for the Ginger Pirlo. Well one minute he’s our very 1st choice midfielder and on the cusp of an England call-up. Yes, he was! The next he’s injured can’t get back to the level he was at before the injury and even at 40K a week was never trusted again.
But again, would both players still be useful if the takeover doesn’t go through? I think not in Sterry’s case but possibly in Colback’s case. Matters not as both will be going.
One man staying at least until the end of the season is Valentino Lazaro.
The extension of his loan deal is a no-brainer for me. He was just beginning to look really useful when lockdown came in and had us all thinking he might be a bargain at just over £20 million.
I’m pleased we’ve got him till the end of this season as we’ll surely be able to tell whether he’s worth making permanent and we’ll also know if the new owners/management want him or whether they’re aiming higher. If of course they arrive.
Therein lies more fanciful journalism, punditry and speculation. The takeover hasn’t yet occurred but goodness the players we’ve been linked with has been staggering.
Yes, when we do get taken over, we’re certainly going to be in the market for higher quality but quite how we can be linked to anyone at present with what’s going on is beyond me.
That said something has to fill column inches and televised/radio segments/bulletins and Journos can hardly be blamed for speculating about possible arrivals if the money is available. There’s no doubting that the squad would be shaken up and it would be exciting.
Perhaps Bale, Koulibaly, Coutinho et al will arrive along with any number of other midfielders, defenders, and forwards. Who knows what the pulling power of the Saudi billions could be if they arrive and yes, I know there will be a spending limit but it is intriguing.
What of who stays and who goes from the current squad? How many do we think are top six Premier League quality? For me there are definitely four I’d keep and probably another couple after that. The rest I would not lose any sleep over in all honesty.
I remember when Rafa returned us to the promised land. We were actually linked with 72 different players from the end of that season to the end of the first transfer deadline. Yes, 72!
I suspect WHEN the takeover goes through and I say WHEN because I can’t bear to think of the alternative, We may get somewhere close to the 72 again but that’s another article in the making.
