Charles N’Zogbia has been linked to a good number of clubs this summer. Among the list of his suitors include Aston Villa, Arsenal, Newcastle, Liverpool and Sunderland. Who will win his signature remains to be seen, yet Sky Sports News have claimed that Aston Villa are in the driving seat at the moment.
N’Zogbia has reached the final year of his contract with Wigan and as such, the clubs previously mentioned have been put on high alert and hope to pick up the winger on the cheap. As for the player himself, he’s hardly hidden his desire to join a ‘bigger club’ and should he move on this summer, I’m sure most fans will wish him all the best.
The impetus may well be with Aston Villa at the moment, who are seeking a replacement for Ashley Young, but I believe that Alan Pardew should step up his interest in the player. Pardew recently announced on Total Sport that Newcastle are in the market for a striker and an attacking midfielder. Doesn’t Charles N’Zogbia fit the billing; could he be just the man Newcastle need?
Newcastle’s midfield may be somewhat packed at the moment, but I can still see a couple of others moving on this summer. It’s unclear whether the likes of Routledge, Guthrie and Barton will remain Newcastle players by the time September arrives.
Fans may remember that during his first stay with Newcastle, N’Zogbia didn’t like sitting on the bench and often spoke out against it. With the competition that Newcastle have for spaces in midfield, he may well find himself on the bench again on the odd occasion next season should he rejoin Newcastle. Has he matured enough to deal with this? Is he worth the big wages that he’s rumoured to be asking for?
In my opinion, yes. He’s a quality player and what’s more he’s a fighter: he almost single-handedly kept Wigan up last season. Newcastle are looking for players with the ability send them back up towards the top of the Premier League and N’Zogbia is just the man. N’Zogbia’s exit from Newcastle may not have been the most seemly of affairs, but given his current mentality and footballing prowess, I think the time is right to give him another chance.
I still hold that Newcastle’s number one transfer target this summer should be Daniel Sturridge but for me Charles N’Zogbia should come second on Alan Pardew’s transfer wish-list. It’s a big summer for Newcastle and I hope the right decisions are made.
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