Why Matt Ritchie Can Become A Top-notch Player If He Continues His Good Form
On a busy first day of the transfer window up on Tyneside in July 2016, Matt Ritchie signed a five-year contract with the historic Newcastle United. Ritchie had survived a relegation battle with Bournemouth in the Premier League the season before but his idea to drop down and join a Championship side seemed baffling.
However, he explained saying,
“It’s fantastic to be here and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of getting the club back in the Premier League.”
And when a manager of Rafael Benitez’s pedigree came calling, the Scotsman didn’t think twice to sign for the Magpies.
“We have signed an exciting winger who has experience in the Championship but has also proved that he can step up to the top level. I am delighted that he is now part of our squad,” Benitez said after finalising Ritchie’s deal.
Benitez went down with Newcastle in 2016 but vowed to take them back to the elite cadre. And the former Liverpool manager kept his word by steering the club back to the Premier League by winning the Championship in 2017. In just a year, Benitez changed the direction of Newcastle United’s travel, by defying public expectations.
As it became clear Newcastle are back with the big boys, the club’s memorable crowning wouldn’t have been possible without the contribution of Ritchie, who was one of their star performers throughout the season. In 42 league appearances last season, Ritchie scored 12 goals, provided 7 assists and completed 1,112 successful passes for Newcastle. His move to North East last season, which left many scratching their heads, has now produced an important and successful role for himself.
Newcastle endured a slow start to their Premier League campaign with two defeats, but Benitez’s men have now won three games in a row to propel themselves up the table. The Magpies’ 2-1 victory over Stoke at the weekend saw them move into the top four, with Ritchie showing his class.
The 28-year-old winger put on an impressive display against the Potters, providing the assists for both the goals and his introduction to the starting XI has coincided with an improvement in their results and performances. The Scotsman already has four assists to his name so far this season; trailing only Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s five for Manchester United.
If Jamaal Lascelles is captain fantastic, Jonjo Shelvey a gifted midfielder, then Ritchie is a little wizard. At 1.73m, he possesses a sweet left-foot which has produced some blockbuster goals. His presence on one wing and Christian Atsu on the other is providing the Newcastle faithful with some mouthwatering football to watch. They make an effective pairing, with both players having unique traits.
What singles out Ritchie from his teammates is his dogged determination to succeed at the highest level, versatility, an eye for the goal and the ability to create magical moments.
While Ritchie is yet to get his first goal, there is a notion that it will come sooner rather than later. Newcastle were dubbed as a club in crisis but Benitez has righted the ship, with Ritchie being the anchor. He is simply indispensable to the squad, and with the qualities he has, there is no shadow of doubt in seeing him become a top-notch playmaker.