Newcastle’s 2016 transfer error is reason for weakness still afflicting Benitez’s side - opinion

Newcastle United sold Georginio Wijnaldum to Liverpool for £25 million in the summer transfer window of 2016, as reported by the BBC.

What they’re missing

The Dutchman became Jurgen Klopp’s seventh signing of that summer and he has since developed into a key man at Anfield. The 28-year-old has forged a place for himself in the Liverpool starting XI this season as a hard working, tenacious midfielder prepared to scrap and do the dirty work for his side.

Whilst Wijnaldum has shone in this role for Liverpool, it represents a departure from the job he did for the Magpies in his time at St James’ Park.

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For Newcastle, Wijnaldum was a far more attacking player, tasked with getting into the opposition box and delivering end product. For Liverpool, he regularly sits deep in order to cover his defence and help moves build up.

In all his time at Liverpool, the 53-cap Netherlands international has scored just nine Premier League goals, as per Transfermarkt’s stats. That includes just two so far in this campaign. By contrast, in his last year on Tyneside he notched eleven strikes. 

What they need

Whilst Wijnaldum has adjusted well to his new instructions and style of play at Anfield, Newcastle are still missing what he brought to the team. So far this season, the Magpies central midfield contingent of Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame, Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff and Ki Sung-yeung, have produced just two Premier League goals between them.

Rafa Benitez’s side lack a goal threat from the middle of the park. It is a chronic weakness in the Spanish coach’s squad that heaps pressure on the strikers to have to consistently deliver. They had a goalscoring midfielder in Wijnaldum but made the mistake of failing to replace him following his departure. 

Until this missing attribute in their ranks is addressed, Newcastle will continue to struggle for regular goals. Benitez will be hoping that January arrival Miguel Almiron will help to solve this problem.

from FootballFanCast.com https://ift.tt/2IGupDa