Why Newcastle United must break the bank for Ivan Cavaleiro
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Newcastle United are interested in Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Ivan Cavaleiro.
Ivan Cavaleiro, 25, was one of the key players in Wolves’ Championship campaign last season. However, he has failed to hit the same heights in the Premier League, managing just three goals and an assist in 14 league games this season.
The Portuguese hasn’t been able to nail down a regular place in the team following the arrival of Adama Traore. Also with the likes of Diogo Jota, Raul Jimenez, Helder Costa and Leo Bonatini in the mix, Ivan Cavaleiro has been in and out of Nuno Espirito Santo’s team, although he has been getting plenty of playing time of late due to Jota’s injury.
Given Newcastle United are toothless in the attack and are finding it difficult to break teams down, they must quickly sign Cavaleiro from Wolves this month.
The Magpies lost 2-0 to Manchester United at St. James’ Park on Wednesday, which saw Rafael Benitez’s men drop points at home again. Newcastle are 15th in the table, with the key players showing poor form. One such player who has failed to light up St. James’ Park this term is Ayoze Perez.
Ayoze Perez has featured in 20 out of 21 league games this season but has produced just two goals and an assist, which is purely an underwhelming stat provided the quality he has at his disposal. While he does play behind the main striker, the Spaniard is considered as Newcastle’s playmaker and second striker. However, he has royally fallen short to deliver the goods this season.
With Perez constantly dishing out poor performances, Newcastle’s supply of creativity has become virtually absent. Since Newcastle are struggling for creativity, they need a new creative midfielder to play behind main man Salomon Rondon.
Ivan Cavaleiro fits the profile perfectly at Newcastle. Predominantly a winger, the Portuguese can also lead the line or play as a supporting striker. Blessed with explosive pace and dribbling skills, the 25-year-old possesses the ability to beat defenders and create opportunities for his teammates in the final third.
The former Benfica speedster would bring directness and dynamism to the otherwise disjointed Newcastle attack, and would also supply Rondon with the ammunition in the box. Cavaleiro can bring the X-factor that Benitez’s side have been lacking throughout this season.
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There is every chance of Cavaleiro being the solution to Newcastle’s problems going forward. If Benitez manages to land the Portuguese, it would really boost the Magpies’ chances of a strong finish in the second half of the season.