1st July 2005
By Howaythetoon
Following the signing of Scott Parker Graeme Souness was quick to
claim that 5-6 more would follow as he attempts to rebuild for a make
or break 2005-06 season. Reading his comments with interest I put
myself in his position and imagined who I would bring in if I was
Newcastle's manager. So here's who I'd like the club to sign...
Left-Back - Franck Quedrue (Middlesbrough)
Since signing for Boro from French club RC Lens in a £2.5m deal after
an initial loan spell back in 2001, Quedrue has quietly impressed
- improving with each year - and as an attacking full-back there aren't
many better in the Premiership. Technically very good as one would
expect of a 'Les Bleus' academy graduate, he can pass, cross, has
good pace and can score goals too (5 last season). He is a bit of
a live wire in that he picks up one too many bookings but he seems
to have curbed that side of his game picking up just 6 and seeing
red just the once last term.
He has also shown alongside a good central defensive pairing in Gareth
Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu, that he is capable enough to do a decent
job in the defensive half. On the flank going forward is where he
really shines however and with 4 assists to his name in 2004-05 along
with his goal threat, he is a very dangerous player. He is also very
good on set-pieces and can curl in a free-kick or two. Quedrue I feel
would make a great signing for Newcastle. At 26 he is at the right
age, has the right credentials and experience and isn't out of our
price nor appeal range unlike many others.
Price: A direct swap for Kieron Dyer.
Central-Defence - Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)
Barry is a player who would be a smashing asset to any club. He can
play in the centre of defence, left-back, central-midfield and out
wide on the left flank. He hasn't quite lived up to his early promise
that saw international recognition and rumours of big money moves
away from Villa Park but he's a very good player nonetheless, perhaps
even underrated. Strong, a forceful runner on and off the ball, comfortable
with it at his feet, versatile and experienced, he'd be a most welcome
addition to the squad. Furthermore he's a level headed player and
has leadership skills having Captained his club on numerous occasions.
A new move could re ignite his career and in my opinion he is very
similar to Aaron Hughes but far superior as a footballer and would
be a tremendous signing for United at the right price.
Price: A direct swap for Craig Bellamy.
Right-Wing - Rodolph Douala (Sporting Lisbon)
I first got a glimpse of the Cameroon international during the pre-season
tournament at St. James' Park in which he impressed me a lot and since
then I've took an interest in him and I have to say, I like what I
see... very much. Lightning quick, tricky and direct, Douala tore
United to shreds over in Lisbon last season and we didn't have an
answer to him. Stephen Carr certainly never. He's a powerful dynamic
forward who can operate on either flank being two-footed as he is,
off the main striker or in a playmaking role in the centre. He's a
super little footballer and knows the way to goal, scoring 5 goals
for Sporting in just 18 starts, suffering with an injury earlier on
in the campaign. At 26 and with his versatility, having also been
used as a full-back, as well as his European experience where he has
shown he can deal with the rough, fast paced game that English teams
play at, Douala would be a quality signing for Newcastle and give
us so many option.
Price: A direct swap for Hugo Viana.
Left-Wing - Luis Boa Morte (Fulham)
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 he would be an ideal
signing for the Toon as a replacement for Laurent 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 Robert. Unlike the Frenchman 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. He's also a lively character, the dressing room
clown at Fulham according to wor Lee Clark and an infectious personality
who runs off well on others - they love him at Craven Cottage apparently,
fans, management, team-mates and staff alike. Boa Morte can also play
up front which is another huge plus and if reports are to be believed,
United will renew their interest and I for one hope we do sign him.
Price: £2-3m or £1m plus Lee Bowyer or Nicky Butt.
Striker - Robert Earnshaw (West Bromwich Albion)
Welsh striker Robert Earnshaw has always interested me. I rate him
and have done since he first burst onto the scene at Cardiff. He's
lightening quick, bubbly but most of all he's a finisher with a tremendous
eye for goals and great positional sense for a forward. He will always
score goals at the highest level because of his movement. Indeed he
has 14 goals in just 20 starts for the Baggies since they made him
their record signing in a £3m move back in August 2004. In fact, his
overall record is stunning. For Cardiff he bagged 107 goals in just
167 starts and in 15 internationals for Wales he has 8 goals to his
name. You would be hard pressed to find a better goals to game ratio
at any level. His first touch is very poor and he is very raw but
at 22 he has time to improve and if reports are to be believed, West
Brom would happy to get their money back for him at the most. At that
price, with his age and record, he would be a far better option than
the likes of Andy Johnson and Robbie Keane, far better in my opinion.
He'd make a great squad player who can come in and do a job and if
he could improve his weaknesses, turn into a little gem of a player.
Price: £2-3m or £1m plus Nicky Butt.
Stiker - Dean Ashton (Norwich City)
Another who I have kept a close eye on since he burst onto the scene
as a 16 year-old at Crewe. Although he can't move club's until January
due to new laws, he's one player I'd like to think Newcastle will
monitor with a great deal of interest as he is very much in the mould
of our very own Alan Shearer. A player who Ashton has modeled his
game on unsurprisingly. Still only 21 the 6' 1" centre-forward's 7
goals in 16 starts for Norwich almost kept the Canaries up, proving
he can play at the highest level having also represented England Under
21s, partnering the Toon's Michael Chopra on a few occasions. Ashton
has it all. He's big and strong, has a very good first touch, is no
slouch, can strike the ball with either foot, is quite exceptional
in the air and with 75 goals in 159 games he knows exactly where the
back of the net is.
He's very much an alrounder and in time and alongside the right players
he can go all the way to the very top in my opinion. He has impressed
me from day one and having saw him up close and live for Crewe a few
years back, his performance and attributes forced me to take notice
of him. Since then I've been spouting off about this possible future
Shearer replacement and was quite disappointed that Newcastle never
made a move for him in January at a price of £3m which will prove
a bargain in years to come. Norwich did and they have a real gem on
their hands. How long he stays with them, remains to be seen. I suspect
he won't stay very long. At his age, he is a far better striker than
James Beattie, Alan Smith and Robbie Keane who we have all been linked
with in recent years and I for one would keep a few quid back for
his signature in January.
Price: £3-5m
Striker - Jan-Klaas Huntelaar (SC Heerenveen)
After his two performances against Newcastle in the UEFA Cup last
season where he scored with a cracking shot in the first leg, the
Dutchman has impressed me a lot and I believe he has all the attributes
to become a big big player on the world stage. Only 21 and with an
impressive goals to games ratio and a star for Holland under-21s,
Huntelaar's goals have helped Heerenveen back into Europe once more
and his reputation is growing. He's strong, holding off Bramble and
then turning him at the Abe lenstra for his goal, brave, skilful,
quite quick, can lead the line, good in the air and as we found out,
has an eye for goal and power in the boots to force the ball home.
Rumour has it that Newcastle have had him watched a few times and
I for one would love to see him at St. James' Park.
Price: £3m
Conclusion:
There is no need to spend vast sums of money in the transfer market,
money we don't have. All Souness and Freddy Shepherd need to do, is
be a bit canny in their dealings. Middlesbrough need a right-winger,
they have just signed a player who can play at right-back and their
interest in Dyer is known. We need a left-back, so swap Dyer for Quedrue.
A good deal for both clubs. Aston Villa would like to sign Bellamy
despite having just signed Kevin Phillips but they can't afford his
wages. Swap him for Barry and they save on wages and a transfer fee.
Win-win for both clubs. Sporting Lisbon would like to keep Viana but
again, can't afford his transfer fee, so use Hugo to get Douala. Furthermore
we can use Bowyer or Butt in any kind of deal for Boa Morte with Fulham
having expressed interest in the pair at one time or another. Bryan
Robson at West Brom is rumoured to be keen on bringing in a defensive
midfielder, swap Butt for Earnshaw or swap Shola Ameobi for the Welshman.
We could save a fortune while bringing in much needed new faces.
Overall the players I have selected are all attainable in one form
or another in my opinion, won't cost the earth, are hungry, versatile
and with a mixture of experience and youth, foreign flair, pace, athleticism
and power, would all bring something positive to the club. It is easier
said than done I know but I really believe each and everyone of the
players mentioned can be had and along with Parker and perhaps Emre,
we would then have a well balanced squad at both levels first-team
and in reserve.
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