3 ideal replacements for the injured Florian Lejeune who Newcastle can target
Newcastle have lost one of their important players, Florian Lejeune, to a long-term injury. The French defender who injured his knee in the preseason is expected to miss a large part of the upcoming season.
Head coach Rafa Benitez has termed the injury as ‘bad news’ as the Spaniard relied heavily on Lejeune last season. However, there is no time to lament the injury because the transfer window closes on 9th August and Newcastle must move quickly to secure a replacement.
Here are the 3 players who could are capable of replacing the injured defender at Newcastle United.
Gary Cahill
Experience matters in the Premier League and Gary Cahill possesses plenty of the same. The 32-year-old centre-back has done it all at the topmost level of the English football over the years. However, his time at Stamford Bridge is rumoured to be ending soon after the arrival of Sarri as the new head coach.
The veteran English defender seems surplus to requirements at Chelsea and Newcastle should use the situation to do themselves a favour.
Cahill would be an assuring presence at the back for the Magpies and would help them achieve their targets for the season.
Benjamin Stambouli
If Rafa Benitez is interested in signing a defender in a similar age group and playing style as Lejeune, then the coach should go all out for Schalke’s Stambouli. The 27-year-old French player has shown great versatility and adaptability to succeed in central defence.
Stambouli was a defensive midfielder by trade before he moved to Schalke in 2016 where he explored his new position in a new setup.
Stambouli is a composed defender like Lejeune, who is comfortable at playing the ball out from the back to help his team.
Gian Marco Ferrari
The Italian defender has been linked with Newcastle. Gianmarco Ferrari has just returned after a successful loan spell with Sampdoria and Fulham are also interested in the Sassuolo defender. Like most Italian defenders, Ferrari takes great pride and interest in defending his goal at all costs.
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Moreover, Gianmarco Ferrari is also adept at the art of bringing the ball out of defence – a quality which will be admired by Benitez who likes his defenders to be good at passing.