19th May 2005
Index:
Arsenal
Aston
Villa
Birmingham
City
Blackburn
Rovers
Bolton
Wanderers
Charlton
Athletic
Chelsea
Crystal
Palace
Everton
Fulham
Liverpool
Manchester
City
Manchester
United
Middlesbrough
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion
Europe
Conclusion?
So Graeme Souness wants to bring in players who have Premiership experience
or who can perform in the League, then? Well lets take a look at our
Premiership rivals and see who is available, who could be available
and who we could potentially attract.
Buying from Fulham?
When Newcastle beat Fulham 3-1 a few weeks back at Craven Cottage
Chris Coleman's side were awful but one player did impress, a player
we have been linked with in January and who we will no doubt be linked
once more with now that the transfer window is open - Luis
Boa Morte.
Since our interest in the former Arsenal man became public knowledge
I have watched him closely with added interest and I have to say,
he's a very good player from what I have seen and I wouldn't mind
seeing him at the Toon as a replacement for Robert.
He's exactly what we want. Big, strong, powerful, athletic, lightning
quick and can score and create goals. In 197 League games for Arsenal
and Fulham the Portuguese international has scored 47 goals and this
season alone, he has 9 to his name as well as 9 assists. Similar career
figures to our soon to depart left-winger.
Unlike Robert however, the 28 year-old works tremendously hard for
his side and over the past two season's has shown a high level of
consistency.
With his contract running out Boa Morte signed an improved and extended
deal back in January which runs out in 2008 but with a tightening
of the purse strings at Fulham, Coleman could well cash in on him.
We would face competition for his signature with Liverpool rumoured
to be after him, but I'm sure Lee Clark has put in a good word or
two. Indeed Clarkie rates him very highly, having this to say about
his fellow team-mate: "He is an infectious character and
he gets the crowd going. We all love him here." That's what
we need, someone who can lift the crowd and the team. Furthermore,
he can play through the middle as well as on the left.
Another Fulham player who I rate is Steed Malbranque
who would be a more realistic and perhaps cheaper target I imagine
having falling out with Coleman over a loss of form and if reports
are to be believed, could well be on his way out of the club.
The Frenchman hasn't had the greatest of seasons, true, but there
is no doubting his quality. He's a tough little cookie, fleet footed
with two tricky feet, quick, hard working, versatile and scores and
creates goals. Despite his poor form, he grabbed 7 from 31 games this
term. More than any of our midfielders.
What I like about him is his ability to not only spot a pass but actually
play one. He's very similar in style to Nobby Solano but stronger
and quicker. Malbranque would be a terrific signing in my view and
would give us that creative spark from the centre or right that we
have lacked since the little Peruvian was shipped out to Villa. An
ideal replacement and an ideal player given his experience and relatively
young age.
One player who I'd like to see more of his Collins John who
has also impressed me. The 19 year-old striker has bags of pace, is
very strong, decent in the air and has an eye for goal. Since arriving
from FC Twente in Holland where he scored 9 goals in 18 games for
the Dutch side, he has not looked out of place in the Premiership.
In just 17 starts for Fulham he has 10 goals and could be a very good
striker in years to come. At the right price, I wouldn't mind seeing
him at St. James' Park.
So there you have it, 3 players who I believe in one way or another
could do a job at Newcastle. And with Coleman apparently interested
in Lee Bowyer, Nicky Butt and having previously been linked with Steve
Harper, there could well be scope to do business should we look their
way to strengthen our own team. I'd take all 3 for £5m plus
Bowyer and Butt. But that's me...
Next up, a look at who is available, who could be available and who
we could potentially attract from Liverpool.
Write In... Who would you like Newcastle to sign
in the Summer? Write in with your suggestions, reasons for your choices
and what these players would bring to the squad and we will publish
your thoughts on these very pages. Send in your suggestions using
the below e-mail form:
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