Dwight Gayle must be questioning Newcastle contract decision already – opinion

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Dwight Gayle signed a new contract with Newcastle United this summer.

The forward was on course to become a free agent, five years after first joining the Magpies.

But in the end he extended his stay, alongside the likes of Fabian Schar, Paul Dummett and Federico Fernandez. Gayle was part of a flurry of contract announcements, while Andy Carroll’s departure wasn’t acknowledged.

It was reported earlier in the year that Gayle would sign a new three-year deal with the Magpies on reduced terms. However, the club did not confirm the length of the forward’s new contract.

But after five games of the new Premier League season, Gayle must be questioning his decision to stay at St James’ Park.

Did Dwight Gayle make the right decision with new Newcastle contract?

Gayle has only featured once so far this season, starting in the Carabao Cup exit to Burnley. Sadly, he failed to find the net.

In the Premier League, Gayle is yet to play a single minute. That’s despite the fact he has been on the bench for all five of Newcastle’s games so far. To make matters worse, the Magpies have been without Callum Wilson for the previous two.

The most action he’s got is from the press, with a reported training ground bust-up between himself and coach Graeme Jones occurring before our last game.

Some supporters wanted Gayle to start against Leeds on Friday, but once again he was an unused substitute. It was a strange decision by Steve Bruce, as it was a game that was there for the taking.

If Gayle isn’t even going to play when Wilson is injured, when will he play? It begs the question, what was the point in giving him a new deal?

From a club perspective, it’s obvious. They deemed it cheaper to keep Gayle than let him go and sign a replacement.

But for Gayle, what’s keeping him at St James’ Park? Other than being settled in the area, it’s hard to see why he’d want to stay at the club.

If he had become a free agent, he would have had a plethora of clubs chasing his signature. He’s lethal at Championship level, as we saw during his first year with Newcastle.

But in the Premier League he’s just collecting dust, unable to get on the pitch. When he eventually does, he’ll be so off the pace that he likely can’t make an impact.

So in short, what was the point? Another lazy decision by the club by a regime that isn’t even trying anymore.