United’s fringe benefits
DE JONG IS AMONG THE NAMES WHO CAN IMPRESS
WHILE Newcastle United’s laboured start to their summer transfer business has left Rafa Benitez and Magpie supporters frustrated, it has offered unexpected hope to a handful of fringe players.
Henri Saivet, Massadio Haidara and Achraf Lazaar were among the Magpies to be given surprise opportunities to stake their claims during the 2-1 pre-season victory over Hearts on Friday night.
Yet it was the presence of Siem de Jong in the starting XI which really piqued the interest of Newcastle supporters in Edinburgh.
Just three minutes into the friendly, De Jong showed the sort of intelligence, vision and precision which encouraged United to spend £6m to sign him from Ajax three summers ago – and which has really got the Newcastle faithful excited.
After a few players from both sides had engaged in a round of head tennis, De Jong calmly allowed the ball to drop at his feet just before the centre circle in his own half.
He then surprised his marker by turning sharply 180 degrees so he was facing the halfway line and, spotting Dwight Gayle accelerating forward, De Jong calmly slotted an inch-perfect pass which dissected the Hearts back four. So accurate was the pass Gayle did not even have to break stride - he merely sprinted forward and then tucked a left-footed shot into the back of the net to hand Newcastle an early lead. Throughout the rest of the first half in particular, there were also further signs of his cleverness and cuteness. Nobody doubts De Jong’s footballing brain. Unfortunately, serious concerns still remains about the durability of the rest of his body. The Dutch international arrived at St James’ Park during the summer of 2014 to much fanfare – but his three years on Tyneside so far have been an unmitigated disaster, primarily due to fitness problems. De Jong has been arguably the unluckiest man in football as far as injuries are concerned over the past few years – the 28-year-old suffering everything from a freak training-ground accident which almost cost him his sight to a collapsed lung. True, he was able to secure
gametime on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season – six goals arrived in 10 Eredivisie starts as De Jong was able to regain at least some fitness and form back in his native Netherlands – but the physical demands of an entire Premier League campaign offer a physical examination far beyond anything the Dutchman experienced in 2016/17.
Rafa Benitez used Ayoze Perez and Mo Diame (pictured below) in the No 10 role at Newcastle last season but neither quite made the position their own and United appear devoid of creativity – and goals – from midfield.
Clearly greater creativity is needed for this attacking midfield position - if Benitez sticks with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation this term, as he hinted he will do at Tynecastle, then an inventive No 10 will be needed this summer to outsmart Premier League defences. Some may even argue Newcastle United already have that in De Jong. Rafa Benitez has spoken before of De Jong’s “qualities” and the attacking midfielder revealed in March the Spaniard sent him regular text messages congratulating him on his performances across on the continent. Clearly De Jong – whose contract runs until 2020 – has the ingenuity to succeed in the English top flight. Alan Pardew lauded De Jong’s “intelligence” when United first signed the Dutchman. The former Newcastle boss even hoped to build a team around De Jong by utilising his technical proficiency and excellent vision. However, the harsh reality is serious doubts remain over the robustness of De Jong’s body. Can Benitez really afford to go into a Premier League campaign relying upon a man who has averaged fewer than 15 league games a season over the last four years? No league in the world is as physically demanding as the English top flight and fears will abound that De Jong could break down at any moment.
Right now, Benitez is actively searching for an attacking midfielder in the transfer market. one who he believes does have the durability.
Yet even if a No 10 does eventually arrive this summer, that does not necessarily spell the end for De Jong on Tyneside.
Benitez wants a squad which can compete this term, not just a starting XI.
De Jong’s sublime assist at Hearts showed exactly what he can do – and using such intellect off the bench during the final 20 minutes of a game could be the difference between securing all three points, or just one.
Newcastle’s lack of progress in the transfer market is proving frustrating for the majority but it has presented an unlikely opportunity for the few.
It is De Jong who has started his most recent Magpies audition in perfect fashion.