Chelsea Hakim Ziyech in action
ESPN pundit Gab Marcotti has claimed on The Gabs and Jules podcast that he doesn’t believe Hakim Ziyech would take a pay cut to join Newcastle United.
The Lowdown: Newcastle looking to bolster attacking options
Anthony Gordon does look set to join Newcastle, so it remains to be seen as to how that affects a potential deal for Ziyech.
It’s been reported that the Magpies could move for the 29-year-old in January on either a permanent or temporary basis but with the winger demanding a wage packet of around £6.9 million when he was tipped to join AC Milan, that could be a major stumbling block.
The Latest: Ziyech on the radar
Ziyech is said to be a target for the Magpies, alongside several Chelsea players, but it could just be a pipedream if he doesn’t lower his wage demands, something Marcotti doesn’t think he’ll do.
He said: (7:00) “The problem with Hakim Ziyech is the dude’s not going to take a pay cut, he’s got enough years left on his contract he doesn’t need to do that.”
The Verdict: PIF could target a younger player
Given that Newcastle already have players such as Miguel Almiron, Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie on their books that are certainly going to be pushing closer to the twilight years of their careers this season, it wouldn’t be logical to bring in a 29-year-old.
Therefore, it makes more sense for Newcastle to land Gordon who is at the start of his career and would fit into Eddie Howe’s high-intensity and pressing style of play given he’s been one of the quickest players in the Premier League this season.
Ziyech – given his experience and pedigree in the Premier League and Champions League – would likely arrive on Tyneside demanding to play every game, otherwise, there’d be no point in him leaving Chelsea, and that could well rock the apple cart at St James’ Park.
About the Author
