Newcastle United are expected to be very busy this summer with players coming and going and reports are suggesting that the Magpies are once again looking at another Italian to bolster their attack.
Federico Chiesa had been linked to Newcastle many times last summer as it was suspected the club were keen to bring in another Italian to help Sandro Tonali to adapt to his new life on Tyneside.
The Juventus forward was seen as an ideal signing at the time and now reports from Spain are suggesting that the winger is still on Newcastle's radar.
We are taking this one with a huge pinch of salt, however. As good as Chiesa is, we just don't see the logic and we'll explain why.
First off, the source of the report is Fichajes from Spain whose transfer stories seem to come from a random name generator. We know there are nuggets of truth in this one, which is the only reason we're giving it the time of day, but often when you see Fichajes as a source, you're best off just moving on.
More importantly, though, Chiesa is a left-winger and if there's one position we've got covered it's the left-wing. Anthony Gordon has been simply outstanding this season and, despite being injured for most of the season, Harvey Barnes hasn't looked half bad either. We also have Alexander Isak who can play on the left if needs be, so we're pretty covered.
Football FanCast covered this story and provided a handy comparison between Chiesa and our regular wingers and, up against Gordon, the England interntional comes out on top in every comparison except for key passes per game, and shots per game but even that is close.
We rate Chiesa highly and would love him at the Toon, but unless we're planning on selling Gordon or Barnes, this doesn't feel like one for the summer.
There's a case to be made for switching Gordon to the right and deploying Chiesa on the left, but why would you move Gordon when he's proven to be so adept down the left?
Right-wing is the more important position that needs addressing this summer. Miguel Almiron is expected to depart this summer which only leaves Jacob Murphy for that position.
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
21 | 30 | 50 |
2 |
Arsenal
|
22 | 22 | 44 |
3 |
Nottingham Forest
|
22 | 11 | 44 |
4 |
Chelsea
|
22 | 17 | 40 |
5 |
Manchester City
|
22 | 15 | 38 |
6 |
Newcastle United
|
22 | 12 | 38 |
7 |
Bournemouth
|
22 | 10 | 37 |
8 |
Aston Villa
|
22 | -1 | 36 |
9 |
Brighton
|
22 | 5 | 34 |
10 |
Fulham
|
22 | 4 | 33 |
11 |
Brentford
|
22 | 1 | 28 |
12 |
Crystal Palace
|
22 | -3 | 27 |
13 |
Manchester United
|
22 | -5 | 26 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
22 | -16 | 26 |
15 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
22 | 10 | 24 |
16 |
Everton
|
21 | -10 | 20 |
17 |
Wolves
|
22 | -19 | 16 |
18 |
Ipswich
|
22 | -23 | 16 |
19 |
Leicester
|
22 | -25 | 14 |
20 |
Southampton
|
22 | -35 | 6 |