Newcastle United have had an exceptional begin to their Premier League marketing campaign thus far and Eddie Howe will certainly be thrilled with how nicely the signings during the last 12 months have labored to enhance each space of the pitch at St James’ Park.
Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier have all change into essential gamers in Newcastle’s speedy stand up the league desk, with the aspect at the moment comfortably occupying a Champions League qualifying spot inside the highest 4 after shedding only one recreation thus far over 20 league outings.
Not solely that, the Magpies have superior to their first semi-final within the League Cup for 47 years, once more proving that the event of the North East squad has been massively profitable thus far.
Consequently, sporting director Dan Ashworth can have a troublesome job to determine gamers who can are available and break into the primary crew with the aspect already boasting a variety of gamers who’re working onerous week in, week out to contribute to the crew’s run of unimaginable kind within the prime flight.
One participant who has lately been linked with a transfer to Tyneside this week is Everton winger Anthony Gordon – a signing that may very well be an enormous mistake and Ashworth’s first switch howler since his arrival in Newcastle.
The 21-year-old ahead is but once more embroiled in a troublesome relegation scrap which is basically blamed on the Toffees’ lack of targets, with solely 15 tallied up thus far which is the joint-second worst targets scored in the complete Premier League this season.
Gordon ranks within the backside 10% of his positional friends throughout the highest 5 European leagues for assists, shot-creating actions, passes tried, move completion and progressive passes, proving that he’s not a participant who’s efficient in progressive play or the attacking menace of his crew.
Over 16 Premier League appearances this season, the Everton legal responsibility – as soon as hailed “disgraceful” by Tim Sherwood – has misplaced 63% of his duels and failed to finish 74% of his dribbles, in addition to averaging simply 11.9 correct passes, 0.5 key passes and 0.3 interceptions per recreation, while amassing the joint-second most yellow playing cards within the prime flight thus far.
Certainly, Gordon remains to be very younger and has room to develop with the proper teaching and growth, nonetheless, with a reported price ticket of £50m it might be a high-risk signing at that value, particularly for a participant who’s unproven and will doubtlessly wrestle to interrupt into the primary crew when competing along with his positional friends.
Ought to Newcastle signal Anthony Gordon?
Sure
No
With that being mentioned, there isn’t any doubt that Newcastle should keep away from the signing of Gordon this month and if Ashworth is eager to bolster the wide-forward roles within the squad then it might be a greater thought to determine targets elsewhere.