Why Newcastle United should avoid signing Domagoj Vida in January
According to Takvim (h/t The Chronicle), Newcastle United are considering a £10m move for Besiktas centre-back Domagoj Vida.
Domagoj Vida, 30, joined Besiktas in January 2018 after spending five years with Dynamo Kyiv. The defender performed heroics alongside Dejan Lovren in Croatia’s superb 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia.
The 30-year-old has been one of the best players for Besiktas this season and has made 14 appearances for the Super Lig club in all competitions, scoring two goals. Despite Vida excelling in Turkey, Newcastle United must avoid signing Vida during the January transfer window.
Defence hasn’t been much of a problem for Newcastle this season. They have shipped 18 goals in 12 games, just one more than third-placed Chelsea.
Steve Bruce has used 5-4-1 system with five defenders defending in low blocks. With this system, the Magpies have defeated Tottenham and Manchester United but they were also blown away by Leicester City.
Newcastle have a whole host of talented centre-backs including Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez and the returning Florian Lejeune.
But captain Jamaal Lascelles will be out with a knee injury until the New Year. The Englishman, who has been an ever-present in Steve Bruce’s side this term, was substituted after 20 minutes in the 2-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
Injury to Lascelles could prompt Bruce to sign a central defender in January but Newcastle already have a lot of options in that position. Then there is the reliable Paul Dummett, who can play in different positions across the backline.
Vida, meanwhile, is an experienced centre-back who has played at a decent level throughout his career but rose to prominence by helping Croatia finish as runners-up in the 2018 World Cup.
He has earned 79 senior international caps and formed a solid partnership next to Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren. The 30-year-old has all the tools required to be a success in the Premier League but he is a player Newcastle don’t exactly need.
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In fact, the Magpies’ problems lie at the other end of the pitch, with none of Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Christian Atsu delivering the goods consistently. Newcastle have scored just 11 goals in 12 league games – a figure that clearly suggests Newcastle’s need for attacking reinforcements in the New Year.
Verdict
Despite losing Lascelles until 2020, Newcastle have enough quality and depth in defence and it would make little sense to splash the cash on signing Vida.