Newcastle United supporters have been reasonably happy in the Transfer Tavern in the last couple of weeks after seeing their team lose just one of their last six Premier League matches to pull clear of the relegation zone.
Rafa Benitez’s men were just two points clear of danger following their 3-1 defeat to Manchester City back in January, but they have since then won two and drawn three of their succeeding six games to move up to 13th place in the table. The Magpies produced an impressive display to beat Manchester United 1-0 at St James’ Park last month, and they made it back-to-back successes in the North East in their most recent clash by cruising past fellow relegation contenders Southampton 3-0, a result which moved them five points clear of the bottom three with only eight games of the season remaining.
As such, there have been many buoyant Newcastle fans in the Tavern in recent times, several of whom are sincerely hoping that their team can continue their recent run of solid form to preserve their Premier League status come the end of the season.
In the meantime though, there has been much for our resident Magpies supporters to get their teeth into, not least recent reports suggesting that the North East giants could seek to sanction Mikel Merino’s departure this summer, just 12 months after moving to St James’ Park.
Yet Newcastle should forget about letting the 21-year-old go this summer, as there is only one midfielder the club should be selling during the close season, namely Jack Colback.
Ultimately, Merino made the temporary move to St James’ Park last summer, but within a few months, he had secured a permanent deal with the North East giants such were his impressive efforts in the heart of Benitez’s midfield.
And while he hasn’t quite hit those lofty heights since returning from injury, there’s little doubt that he has got genuine ability to succeed in the Premier League, and at the tender age of 21, Newcastle would be mad to let him go this summer.
Instead, it’s Colback who should be on his way out of St James’ Park for good.
The 28-year-old is so far down Benitez’s pecking order that he was shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest back in January, before the midfielder himself was highly critical of the Newcastle boss for his treatment during his time on Tyneside.
The former Sunderland man didn’t appear at all in the Premier League for the Magpies in the first half of the season, and with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, and Mo Diame performing well in recent times, it doesn’t appear as though he has any future at the club.
Whilst there is huge potential in Merino to go on and become a quality midfielder, if his first few months were anything to go by, the same cannot be said of Colback, whose impressive efforts for Forest in the Championship are perhaps indicative of the level he can excel at at this stage of his career.
And following his comments regarding Benitez in recent times, it’s difficult to see him having any sort of future at Newcastle were the Spaniard to remain in charge.
As such, there’s only one midfielder Newcastle should consider selling this summer, and it’s certainly not Spain Under-21 international Merino.
Newcastle fans… what do you think? Let us know!
