Newcastle United supporters had high hopes for Christian Atsu when he arrived at St James’ Park last summer, but he has gradually faded into insignificance during his time in the north east.
Atsu was expected to enjoy a bright future in European football when he signed for Chelsea in 2013 after impressing in Portugal. Multiple loan spells later and the Blues achieved what they ultimately set out to do when they brought him to Stamford Bridge: they sold him for a profit.
Newcastle United was the destination for Atsu as Mike Ashley secured a textbook cut-price deal after clinching promotion to the top-flight, but so far his career has stagnated.
Rafa Benitez was willing to pursue with Atsu in his starting eleven during the first half of the season, but Kenedy’s arrival in the January transfer window saw his opportunities dwindle.
The 58-cap Ghana international showcased erratic bursts of threatening dynamism for the Magpies without ever achieving a consistency to his form. Those fleeting moments of flair got the St James’ Park faithful on their feet, but they were seldom backed up with a telling end product, and ultimately that cost him a place in the starting eleven to the comparatively effective Kenedy.
But if Benitez is able to make Atsu (valued at £5.4 million by Transfermarkt) combine his lightning-quick pace with a more intelligent approach in the final-third he could yet blossom into a key player for the club.
With just one Premier League start under his belt this season fans and pundits are well within their rights to question his future, but Newcastle’s lack of strength in depth is likely to force him to fight for his place in the first-team.
Atsu’s failure to thrive in the Premier League is a frustrating reality for the Magpies faithful to accept. He is not far from being a deadly talent at this level and, if Benitez can find a way to help him translate his natural ability into consistent performances, it would represent one of his most impressive pieces of man-management since taking charge on Tyneside.
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