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Opinion

The two Premier League players Newcastle United should move heaven and earth to sign

2 years ago
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There are two Premier League players who I think are no-brainers for Newcastle United to go for.

I am not saying that Newcastle could sign / tempt them BUT you never know unless you try.

If the money and the ambition is indeed there, then I think this pair of Premier League stars would be absolutely massive for NUFC if they signed them.

Yes I might be playing Fantasy Football but it is good at least to be able to dream AND at least in some small way, believe that those dreams could come true.

The fact that Mike Ashley refused to properly invest in the squad, ironically means that the new Newcastle United owners do have some extra scope in terms of Financial Fair Play and now spending significantly more on signings, compared to the revenue coming in.

That does of course depend on them being able and willing to pump this extra cash in from their own money at this point, if serious signings are to be made.

When I call this pair my dream Premier League signings, I really mean it. I almost certainly wouldn’t sign any other current PL players ahead of them, even if it was real fantasy stuff and picking absolutely anybody.

So without further ado…

James Ward-Prowse

I think he is outstanding. Whenever playing against Newcastle United I have been impressed with him, the same in pretty much any game I have seen him on TV against whoever. A player who never seems to have a bad game from what I have seen.

It is absolutely shocking the lack of investment in Newcastle United’s midfield, still relying on the ones (Shelvey and Hayden) who got NUFC out of the Championship back in 2016/17.

I think that if Rafa Benitez had stayed and been supported, you would have seen this area of the pitch totally transformed. Both Shelvey and Hayden would have been out of the door as they are simply not good enough, instead under Ashley and Bruce they were both given new contracts. Hayden given a six (SIX) year new deal, absolutely unbelievable. Tries his best but not even a first eleven Premier League midfielder for me, not at any other PL club anyway.

James Ward-Prowse is an all action, gets around the pitch, midfielder. Exactly what Newcastle need.

Excellent on free-kicks and penalties as well. The Southampton star got eight goals and seven assists in the Premier League last season, how on earth none of the PL elite have swooped is a mystery. Has already got four goals and three assists (two of those in League Cup) this season, a player Newcastle United should go all out for.

At 27 he is the perfect age for the next three to five years at Newcastle and despite his longstanding excellent form, only has four starts for England. The new NUFC owners can sell him the dream of being a key part in the club’s revolution and meet any wage demands.

Kalvin Phillips

Another no-brainer for me.

Would be absolutely the perfect choice alongside James Ward-Prowse.

At 26 he is also the ideal age. Imagine this pair in the Newcastle United midfield!

Compared to the current options and what we have had year after year, with the possible exception of the brief look we had at Mikel Merino, this is like as big a difference as you could possibly imagine.

Strikers are of course vital, as are any number of players in other positions.

However, getting control of the midfield is for me the biggest battle in any match. Win that one and you will win the vast majority of your games.

Kalvin Phillips is outstanding and just like Ward-Prowse, never appears to have a bad game. With only one PL goal and three PL assists he isn’t going to personally contribute massively in a direct way up there. However, his contribution WOULD help give you far more dominance of matches and that then gives a platform for other players to create and score more.

So, are these type of signings possible?

If Newcastle United stay up this season and seriously go for them in the summer, why not?

For me, both players are more than capable of playing for successful teams and if that is what Newcastle United are aiming to be, why shouldn’t they buy into the dream of what we know NUFC are capable of becoming, if the new owners follow through on their talk of ambition.

Could either / both of them be persuaded to come to Newcastle United in January? Would it be possible to persuade their club(s) to sell next month?

As things stand, the sensible (99.9%) part of you would think no chance.

However, as football fans, all of us are also allowed to indulge our other 0.1% at times.

Even if they failed in their attempt(s), I would absolutely love to see the NUFC owners go all out to try and sign this midfield pair in January. Put the necessary money (£50m+ each) on the table and sell the two Premier League stars the longer term dream.

Thank you for your indulgence.

Now I’m just off back to working out which of Shelvey, Hendrick, Longstaff, Willock and Hayden should be playing against Man Utd tonight….

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