Mike Ashley is resoundingly unpopular at Newcastle United, to the extent in which he is effectively the Premier League’s most unpopular owner by default, but he has, albeit very occasionally, made smart decisions in the transfer market.
Newcastle supporters slated Ashley for his transfer policy once again during the 2018 summer window, but the impressive performances of Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez suggest that his strategy is not without some merit.
The aforementioned pairing have both been in excellent form, but who exactly has been the best purchase under Mike Ashley’s leadership?
Well, after assessing Yohan Cabaye’s career at St James’ Park and looking back at one of the most technically gifted players that Newcastle supporters have seen in recent years, one question sprung to mind: is Cabaye Ashley’s best ever signing?
And when we pitted this question to the Magpies faithful the result was overwhelmingly in the Frenchman’s favour.
Indeed, 79% of supporters voted yes in our poll and it’s easy to understand why.
Signed for a measly fee of just £4.5 million, the 48-cap France international simply oozed class in the centre of the park, where he effortlessly dictated the tempo and offered a genuine source of creativity in the final-third.
The only disappointment for the supporters was how quickly he decided to depart the club for PSG, but it was hardly a surprising decision considering how consistently excellent he was for Newcastle.
Jonjo Shelvey is the current player who most closely resembles the quality and style provided by Cabaye, but the former Liverpool playmaker just doesn’t quite cut it in comparison.
Newcastle fans – thoughts? Let us know below!
