He doesn't bring the 'Shiny New Toy' hype of Sesko... but here's how Ollie Watkins can save Newcastle's Summer.

Sesko v Watkins? Style v Substance... Potential v Proven... Glamour v Grit...

This has been the debate between Manchester United fans all week. And while the fan polls have voted heavily in Sesko's favour, there was a strong chorus of support for Ollie Watkins from media personalities and pundits alike.

Football is one of the few things that can turn grown men back into starry-eyed schoolboys once again. We buy the replica shirts, the Panini sticker albums, we chant our heroes' names like we did back when we were in primary school. And just like a kid in a candy shop, we're drawn to the 'shiny new toy' that glitters with untold glory. For Newcastle and Man United fans, that shiny new toy is Benjamin Sesko.

The Sesko Dilemma...

Now, straight off the bat, I'd like to get one thing straight. I was excited like everyone was when we were linked to Sesko. He looks the part. Tall, athletic, powerful, confident. He moves about the pitch with the imposing gait of a Zlatan or a Lewandowski... a men amongst boys. Pull up any of his highlight clips and you see him battering defenders and hitting howitzers in from 25 yards... glorious stuff...

But we thought the same about Darwin Nunez... Afonso Alves... Andriy Shevchenko... scoring goals in the Premier league isn't an exact science. For every Didier Drogba or Alexander Isak... there are two or three Islam Slimanis or Ricky van Wolfswinkels...

Until Sesko arrives in the Premier League, seemingly in the poisoned chalice of a Man Utd red shirt, we won't know whether he is the real Erling Haaland deal... or another expensive flop.

What I do think is... Newcastle makes more sense for a move. Our style of play is quick, direct, lung-busting, just like Sesko himself. The big man is fast enough to keep pace with the likes of Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Elanga. Eddie Howe also has a track record of improving youngsters of Sesko's calibre; just look at the likes of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento.

There is also the pressure and burden that comes with the Manchester United shirt. Those fans expect the Old Trafford club to be back competing with the best. Us Toon fans acknowledge that we're on a journey of growth, instead of an expectation of glory. Isak's shoes are big ones to fill, but with support from a Premier League veteran like a Yoane Wissa, and a senior leadership team of experienced heads around Sesko to guide him, Sesko would have the time, support and freedom to blossom into the world-beater he could be.

The 'Five Reasons Why' I think Watkins could be a Masterstroke...

Ollie Watkins has been a thorn in Newcastle's side for years. In his last five appearances against Newcastle, he's registered four goals and two assists. He's almost the opposite to Alexander Isak. Whereas Isak is ice-cold, cultured and technically-excellent, Watkins is tenacious, indomitable and relentless. There is a sexiness to Isak's football, whereas Watkins quite simply gets the job done.

1. Watkins' Premier League record is there for all to see and marvel...

As proven when people doubted Eddie Howe in his early Newcastle career, being English isn't very sexy in the context of Premier League football. It just isn't. For all their talent, Premier League legends such as Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole are often overlooked for the glitz and glamour of the Thierry Henrys and the Sergio Agueros...

Ollie Watkins, with his boring name and pragmatic style of football, is never going to be the sort of player that captures an audience's imagination. His game relies on running, teamwork and intelligence. But you simply can't argue with the numbers...

184 Premier League games...

75 goals...

34 assists...

...he's averaging a goal involvement every other game, while often playing in some shoddy Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard sides...

He may not guarantee rainbow flicks and step-overs, but he guarantees goals and assists.

2. 'Availability is the best ability'

While the goals speak for themselves, so does Watkins' availability. He missed just three games in all competitions through injuries last season, and has never fallen below 35 Premier League appearances in a season. It's fitness and consistency levels that Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson could only dream about.

With more games on the calendar this season, and a high-press, high-energy brand of football, Howe needs players that won't let him down on the fitness front.

3. A three-year guarantee

The main argument stick used to beat Watkins with is his age. He turns 30 in December. But this is a crucial moment of Newcastle's development in their journey to be an elite club. Champions League nights are back for the second time in three years, and the trophy hoodoo is over. We need to be ploughing on relentlessly, signing players that can hit the ground running and keep the momentum up. Anthony Elanga gives us that. Ollie Watkins gives us that as well.

And while yes; Watkins is nearing 30, and yes; pace is a key instrument in his arsenal, Watkins' fitness and lack of injuries over the years probably guarantees him another three seasons at his peak. That gives our beleaguered scouting department years to scout and recruit the next 'Alexander Isak' and implement them into the team as Watkins' protege without the intense media scrutiny and expectations that a Benjamin Sesko might endure this season.

4. A Relentless style that complements our attack

You only need to have watched the 4-1 implosion at Villa Park last season to see how effective Ollie Watkins can be. He tore Fabian Schar and Dan Burn's ageing legs to shreds, constantly getting in behind and creating chances for himself and others. That dogged determination and relentless running suits Eddie Howe's style down to the ground. Imagine him linking up with the pace and direct running of Anthony Elanga and Gordon, pulling defenders this way and that and allowing the three to interchange and link-up. It would be impossible to mark, and devastating on the counter during those tough Champions League nights...

5. Weakens a Rival

The last one is simple; we've been neck and neck with Villa for years now. Both vying to crack the Super League 6 stranglehold and upset the order. Watkins is the jewel in the crown of this Villa side, and after the Midlands club sold Jhon Duran in January, they would have an awkward scramble to find a new striker. It would be difficult to get them to part with Watkins, but Man Utd's interest hints at some encouragement from Watkins's party, and his clashes with manager Unai Emery are there for all to see...

Get It Done, Eddie...

So is Ollie Watkins the name that gets tongues wagging... imaginations sprawling... and bums in seats? Probably not.

But is Ollie Watkins the name that could spearhead our attack at a crucial juncture of the club's modern history and guarantee goals? Probably yes.

If Benjamin Sesko does indeed pack his bags for the floods and rats of Old Trafford, Ollie Watkins should be Newcastle's highest priority...