3 reasons why Newcastle should move mountains to sign Rodwell
Published:Save for a cluster of wins around the start of March, it’s fair to say that the second half of Newcastle’s season was an unmitigated disaster, prompted in no small part by ‘headbutt-gate’ at Hull.
However, the close season offers the Magpies and their besieged manager the chance for some much needed redemption if they can attract the right players to revamp a squad which ran out of all ideas.
Therefore it should be music to the ears of Alan Pardew that champions Manchester City – the 7/4 favourites to retain their crown in 2014/15 – are willing to sell Jack Rodwell.
Here are three reasons Newcastle should go all out to sign the 23-year-old midfielder.
Rodwell is better than all Newcastle’s other ‘box-to-box’ midfield options
Although Rodwell’s career has stifled at the Etihad, partly through injury, the England international clearly has first-class ability which led City to shell out £15m on him two years prior.
Aside from Cheick Tiote, who is their defensive-midfield lynchpin, Rodwell offers far more as an all-action central midfielder than either Vurnon Anita or Dan Gosling, while Moussa Sissoko wants out this summer.
Rodders also has a range of passing which could go some way to replacing the creativity lost when Yohan Cabaye left for Paris St-Germain in January.
Signing Rodwell would send a message
After such a disappointing end to their campaign, landing a player of England international calibre would be just the boost the club and their fans need to start rebuilding some optimism on Tyneside.
It could act as a catalyst to attract other quality players during the transfer window.
Rodwell is English
It’s been well documented that Newcastle’s first team has a predominantly French feel. While this is not a big issue, there is plenty of talk about clubs trying to address their home-grown quota at the moment and not just for their fringe players.
The fact he will bump up the numbers of Englishmen actually in the first XI at St James’ Park is an added bonus.
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