Why Newcastle Should Consider Splashing The Cash On Michy Batshuayi
This summer will be an exciting one for Newcastle United fans. Being back in the Premier League, manager Rafael Benitez committing his future to the club and the aspect of being able to sign big name players again – with so much to look forward to, the excitement around St. James’ Park is palpable.
Having been relegated to the EFL Championship at the end of the 2015/16 season, the Magpies have made it back to the Premier League on the first time of asking and they did so in style, by winning the championship.
Since their return to the top flight was confirmed, transfer rumours have been flying around linking all sorts of players with a move to the Tyneside in the summer. And the latest to be added to that ever-growing list is Chelsea’s 23-year old striker Michy Batshuayi.
A report on Belgian outlet Voetbal Nieuws carried a news from the print edition of Nieuwsblad that the Belgian international is a target for Newcastle United, after having seen chances hard to come by at Stamford Bridge. The report also claims that Batshuayi is wanted by French Champions AS Monaco and West Ham United as well, who have maintained a long-standing interest in him.
Batshuayi joined the Premier League champions last summer for a transfer fee of £33million from French side Olympique Marseille, but things have hardly gone according to plans for the Belgian. He has been restricted to cameos off the bench in the league and has been handed just a single start in the top flight. He has been regularly only in the cup competitions.
Despite his discontinued spells in the starting XI, the Belgian international finished the season with 9 goals – including the goal against West Bromwich Albion that won the Premier League title for Chelsea, and the double against Sunderland on the final day of league action.
Having recently been promoted, Newcastle will have to build a squad that is capable of putting up a strong fight in the Premier League and a striker who can deliver 15-20 goals is a must for any team who wants to finish in the upper half of the table, which is where Newcastle will be aiming to finish.
They may have the likes of Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic in their ranks, but Batshuayi is someone who is easily capable of ousting those two from the starting eleven. He may not have played a lot, but when he has played, he has delivered for the Blues. The 23-year old is young, hungry and eager to prove himself and most importantly, knows where the back of the net is.
In the season preceding his big money move to Chelsea, Batshuayi had scored 17 goals and registered 9 assists for Marseille – indicating that he has what it takes to get the goals if given a regular run in the side. He is fast and powerful and offers a physical threat as well, making him a good fit for English football.
The only concern at this point is if Diego Costa decides to leave Chelsea, manager Antonio Conte might not be willing to let go of Batshuayi. However, it is also very likely that they will bring in another big-money striker to replace the Spaniard, leaving Batshuayi back at square one.
With the FIFA World Cup in Russia just a year away, Batshuayi will want to play regularly if he is to stand a chance of representing Belgium in the mega event. Newcastle will be able to offer him exactly that. A chance to work with a manager of Rafa’s ilk and stature, who has played a major role in the successes of players like Fernando Torres and Gonzalo Higuain, would also appeal to the 23-year old.
Batshuayi has done enough to show that he has the quality to succeed at this level. If given the backing by the manager, he has the ability to develop into one of the most dangerous marksmen in the Premier League, which is what Newcastle need on their return to the big league. So, if an opportunity presents itself, Newcastle should go all out to sign Batshuayi in the summer.