Newcastle United are poised to sign midfielder Kyle Scott, after his contract with Chelsea came to an end last month, according to Football Insider.
They report that the 21-year-old is set to sign a three-year contract with The Magpies, after accepting an offer to join despite Rafael Benitez having played a part in the initial proposal to sign him.
Scott is capable of playing across the central midfield areas and has represented England at U16 level and USA at U18 level.
He only ever managed one game for Chelsea, when he came on for the final 28 minutes of a 4-0 FA Cup win against Hull City.
The 21-year-old spent time on loan in the second division of Dutch football last season with SC Telstar, where he started 12 games and came on as a substitute twice, scoring two goals as the club went on to finish 15th in the table.
Indeed, within Football.London’s write-up of the youngster back in 2018, they described him as a hard-tackling midfielder and one who was highly thought of at Cobham. Seen as a ‘technically adept’ player who can play ‘a number of different midfield roles’, that kind of versatility could be helpful to a team who have already lost Mo Diame in central midfield areas, while Isaac Hayden is being linked with a move away.
This isn’t necessarily the most exciting signing for Newcastle at first glance, but there are numerous examples where somebody hasn’t been given a chance at Chelsea before going on to have a good career elsewhere.
While it would obviously be too much to suggest he can go on to replicate the likes of Kevin De Bruyne or Mohamed Salah after their early exits from Stamford Bridge, Diame’s departure from St. James’ Park does deprive the Toon of the man who made the second most tackles (WhoScored) per game last season. With Hayden being the first, bringing in the kind of player to win the ball back could be crucial.
Scott is said to be that and, while he has a lot to prove, would at least appear to have the raw tools to replace some of what has been lost.
Toon fans, would you be pleased with Scott’s arrival? Join the discussion by commenting below…
