Part Of The Game – Why Andreas Samaris Would Be A Good Signing For Newcastle United
According to reports from the Sun, Newcastle United are closing in on the signature of SL Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris in an £18million deal.
The 28-year old has been a pivotal part of the team that has won three consecutive Portuguese league titles. Last season, he made 32 appearances for Benfica in all competitions, as they completed a league title and domestic cup double.
Newcastle United haven’t had the greatest of the summers as of yet. Upon achieving promotion back to the Premier League, the Magpies were expected to strengthen their ranks significantly and while they have added four players so far in the summer – Christian Atsu, Florian Lejeune, Javier Manquillo and Jacob Murphy, they haven’t been able to land a statement signing as of yet.
The midfield area is something that manager Rafael Benitez has been extremely keen on strengthening because of a lack of quality options. While Jonjo Shelvey will be a constant fixture in the two-man midfield pivot for the Magpies, the second midfielder position is one of big concern for Benitez and Newcastle.
Isaac Hayden did well last season, adding the defensive steel, but is largely untested and unproven in the Premier League. Jack Colback isn’t the most popular option either and Mo Diame too did not perform in that role with much effect. So, it makes sense that the club are looking to bring in a defensive minded midfielder into the team during the summer.
Samaris fits the bill for Newcastle to a great extent. The 28-year old is someone who will sit back in the midfield and try and recycle possession for his more adventurous teammates in the other half of the pitch. A tenacious presence, the Greece international is a strong tackler of the ball and has a great sense of positional awareness, which allows him to get into good positions to thwart the opposition.
Possessing great levels of energy and stamina, he can also run up and down the park, pressing the opposition well. While he has the ability to drive the team forward from the midfield, he has curbed that side of his game in recent years. However, he possesses a venomous right-foot using which he unleashes some fierce shots from distance.
A very good passer of the ball as well, Samaris has the ability to pick out teammates with great accuracy and usually starts attacks from deep areas with long cross-field balls – something that could prove to be devastating with the likes of Murphy and Matt Ritchie out on the flanks for Newcastle. Samaris will also bring in a winning mentality to a relatively young Newcastle side, having laid his hands on numerous silverware in his career.
The Greek international has two years left on his contract and at £18million, he will prove to be a good addition to the Newcastle side with his years of top level experience and will also help Benitez address a key issue in his squad, solving their midfield conundrum.