Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

News

Why Trading Darren Bent For Papiss Cisse May Make Sense To Mike Ashley

11 years ago
Share

Fans talk about Mike Ashleys transfer ‘strategy’ although it is set in stone, a bit like his ten commandments that Derek Llambias has brought down from the top of level 7 and laid before the fans.

The January player trading proved that where necessary, Ashley will just ruthlessly tear up any plan and do something else.

To bring in first team players from their clubs in France halfway, through the season, undoubtedly meant that the idea of making one take it or leave it offer went out of the window.

Just in time Ashley realised that disaster was looking in terms of relegation an so some furious horse trading took place as prices were eventually agreed for the likes of Sissoko, Haidara, Mapou, Debuchy and Gouffran.

(To feature like Jim on the website/magazine, send in your letters/articles to contribute@themag.co.uk)

So making one bid and then walking away if it is not accepted, is clearly one of Mike’s commandments that has been put to bed.

Many fans say that there’s no chance of signing such and such because he’s over the age of eleven (slight exaggeration…) and so has no resale value etc etc.

Ashley has proved that when it comes down to protecting his investment he will move the goalposts whenever it suits, if there is a deal to be done that sees him come out in front then he’ll do it.

So what about if he replaced a 28 year old recently misfiring goalscorer with a 29 year old who has one of the most prolific goalscoring records in the Premier League? Best of all (in Ashley’s eyes) he could come out well ahead financially in terms of transfer fees in and out, which would more than pay for any rise in the wage bill. I already have a mental picture of Mike Ashley’s ears standing up when he reads this….

As everybody else is speculating why can’t I?

Two rumours – Newcastle might sell Cisse because supposedly he might refuse to wear a ‘Wonga’ shirt, or in my opinion might use that as an excuse to get him out of the club, for whatever reason.

The other rumour being that Newcastle could be after Darren Bent, who clearly has no future at Aston Villa.

Bent is only a year older than Cisse and has a phenomenal record in the Premier League with 102 goals in 242 matches, particularly when you consider he scored most of those at very average clubs like Villa, Charlton and the mackems.

Not for one minute am I suggesting that I’m in favour of this kind of trading of Cisse out and Bent in – but to people who nowt about football (Ashley, accountants, Llambias) they might think they are yet again right and everybody else hasn’t a clue.

One thing most would agree on is that Bent and Cisse couldn’t play together, both lone predators even if they hunt in very different ways. They both need to be up at the sharp end but while Cisse tends to score the spectacular, Bent thrives on the ball repeatedly delivered into dangerous areas and sniffing around the six yard area. If there is one team who hasn’t made a habit of delivering quality ball into dangerous areas, it would be Newcastle United.

With rumours that not a lot of money will be made available and Alan Pardew having to generate extra money if he wants extra players, then some very difficult decisions will have to be made if he wants to revamp his team…and try and keep his job.

New issue of our magazine now on sale in all Tyneside newsagents, or order now online for only £3 (plus postage) for Worldwide delivery straight to your door, or why not start a subscription – prices from only £23.

[latest_issue]

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks