Our landlord reckons Newcastle could return to the Premier League with a bang – but only if they pull off some fantastic business during the summer transfer window.
Indeed, Rafa Benitez seems to have settled on his style of play and the majority of his first-team squad, but the Spaniard needs to source some genuine Premier League quality this summer if the Magpies are to do anything more than avoid relegation next season.
Not every Magpies fan in the Tavern is exactly on board with the idea of taking off-cuts from other Premier League sides, but if there’s one club they’re willing to make an exception for it’s Chelsea; not only are they reigning champions, they also have a vast array of promising youngsters on their books.
Newcastle have already snapped up Christian Atsu and have been linked with a loan deal for Blues strike prodigy Tammy Abraham, so our landlord’s taken it upon himself to outline three more Chelsea fringe players the Tynesiders should target this summer.
Nathaniel Chalobah
You’d be forgiven for thinking Nathaniel Chalobah has already surpassed the point at which he can be considered a genuine prospect for the future, but the Chelsea midfielder is still just 22 years of age and now boasts a wealth of varied experience for a player so young.
Indeed, the defender-come-midfielder has represented England over 50 times at youth level, reached a Championship Playoff final with Watford, taken part in a successful Premier League title bid with the Blues and even spent time in Italy with Napoli – featuring for them three times in the Europa League.
That mixture of experience and talent will surely come good somewhere down the line but still very much on the fringes of Chelsea’s squad, it could be Newcastle who benefit if they swoop for Chalobah this summer.
Loic Remy
Loic Remy’s spent the last few years in the wilderness, managing just 18 Premier League appearances since summer 2015 – including an injury-plagued loan spell at Crystal Palace this season. But it wasn’t too long ago the France international was hitting the onion bag for fun at St. James’ Park and a return to his former stomping ground could be exactly what Remy needs to revive his stuttering career.
Likewise, Newcastle need experienced firepower if they hope to do anything but see off relegation next season and Remy is more than established in the top flight from his spells with the Blues, QPR and the Magpies.
Whether he’s still the same player after this season’s injury problems remains to be seen but with his Chelsea contract due to expire at the end of next season, the potential is there to pick the 30-year-old up on the cheap this summer.
Nathan Ake
Nathan Ake seemingly grew in Antonio Conte’s estimations as the season went on, starting it out on loan at Bournemouth but returning in January to make a string of impressive performances in Chelsea’s starting XI.
Nonetheless, the Italian gaffer has some huge decisions to make this summer with a number of other promising defenders at his disposal such as Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen and it could well end up being the two-cap Netherlands international who eventually gets the chop.
Should that be the case, Newcastle simply must put their hat in the ring. Left-footed, tactically astute, physical and versatile, the 22-year-old is an incredibly unique player and has already shown he’s capable of performing in the Premier League during loan spells with Watford and the Cherries.
