'Got some mileage': BBC commentator thinks he has the ideal next move for 34-year-old Newcastle man

Newcastle United released a statement this week announcing the departures of several first-team players when their contracts expire next month.

One of those was eight-year servant Matt Ritchie who turns 35 this year and is no longer needed by the club in a playing capacity.

The winger, the bastard lovechild of Eddie Howe and Gordon Ramsey, signed for Newcastle by Rafa Benitez in 2016 from Bournemouth and was a key figure in getting the Magpies promoted back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Since then, the former Scotland international has gone on to make 215 appearances for The Magpies, scoring 25 goals and providing 32 assists.

St James' Park corner flags will sleep easy at night now

Ritchie will be fondly remembered by Newcastle fans and even more so by the staff as he embarks on a new chapter in his career this year.

Meanwhile, BBC commentator Chris Wise already thinks he knows where the fiery corner flag menace may end up next according to his post on X.

"Matt Ritchie released by Newcastle. He’s got a desire to play for boyhood club Portsmouth again before he retires, so keep an eye on that one this summer. Not saying it’s definitely happening, but it’s got some mileage in it.

"Ritchie would have to accept an enormous drop in wages if he were to join #Pompey. And that might not be a figure either party can reach an agreement on. If it happens, it needs a) [John] Mousinho to see him in his Championship plans and b) Ritchie to sign because of love for club."

Matt Ritchie doesn't strike us as the greedy type so this could happen

Ritchie seems to us like the kind of guy who would take the gig to play for his boyhood club regardless of the money. He's been on a good wage at Newcastle for the last eight years, so surely he can afford to take the pay cut and play for the love of the game for a season or two.

Then he can hang up his boots and start haulin' for Eddie Stobbart with his LGV licence ... or come back to Newcastle to work as a coach and learn from his doppelganger Eddie Howe.

Wherever he ends up, we wish him nothing but the best.