It sums up the level of neglect in and around Newcastle United right now that we didn’t even bother confirming the departure of a senior player.
Christian Atsu’s contract officially expired at the end of June, yet he confirmed to his Twitter followers that his time on Tyneside had come to an end almost SIX weeks ago now.
Was he a first-team regular? No. Should we have handed him a new deal? Again, no. He wasn’t the best and hardly played last season, but he helped us get promoted, tried his best, did a lot for the community and is, by all accounts, a very nice bloke.
The fact NUFC didn’t even acknowledge his five-year stint at St James’ Park sums up what a soulless club we’ve become under Mike Ashley, but also highlights how just about everything has been neglected this summer.
It took an age to announce Castore as our new kit suppliers, the annual accounts are way overdue, we have no idea if Andy Carroll has been given a new deal, we haven’t made a single signing and are in the dark regarding season tickets – despite the fact our first game of the 2021/22 season is just FOUR weeks on Sunday.
We are a shell of a club and dire need of new direction. This situation with Atsu may seem insignificant, yet it speaks volumes – not just about our lifeless summer but classless approach under the current owner.
Good luck to Christian and thanks for your efforts while wearing the black and white shirt.
Well welcome to the real life. Atsu was a mediocre player. Started bright and faded quickly. Don’t think anyone missed him when he wasn’t playing. Adios amigo.
Ronald(Quote)
He was told a year ago that he could leave, he stayed for family reasons and ran out his contract. On this occasion the club are entirely NOT to blame. It may be the first time ever but even Atsu admitted he was told a year ago.
Mark Jackson(Quote)
Doesn’t matter when he was told he could leave. He had a contract offered to him by the club and he saw that out – mainly because moving would’ve created problems for his young family.
Also, he’s told The Athletic today that he was told to find a move ‘five hours’ before the transfer window closed. Again, that’s so poor from the club, who could’ve at least had the decency to wish him well for the future.
A very good bloke who has done a lot fo the NUFC foundation, donated to charities and helped us get promoted.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Him being a mediocre player has nothing to do with the club showing a total lack of respect towards a bloke who did a lot fo the NUFC foundation, local charities and helped us get promoted.
It’s not a huge deal, but it sums up the lack of class at this club under MA / how everything’s been neglected this summer.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
The author has summed up
the situation perfectly –
Ashley,Charnley and Co. are behaving like cowboy tradesmen!
B O Y C O T T and show them the same level of contempt that they’ve shown us!
Steve(Quote)
This football club is Doomed.We are going down this season.Then you have Brucie boy smiling in pictures as if we have signed new players
Jonboy(Quote)