Pep Guardiola would likely not think much of Paul Dummett and his thunderous tackles, tackles that Manchester City’s twinkle-toed wingers may well shirk.
The Newcastle defender is hard but fair, his a style that perhaps better befits a bygone era,
Unlike DeAndre Yedlin, plying his trade at full-back on the opposite side of the St James’ Park pitch, Dummett is not lightning quick and – as far as we know – does not own a skateboarding dog either.
While he is far from the most exciting player to have turned out in a black and white shirt, Rafa Benitez rates Dummett. And so he should.
Newcastle fans love a misunderstood genius – be that Laurent Robert, Hatem Ben Arfa or the more modestly talented Aleksandar Mitrovic – but they are warming to Dummett.
He is a defender whose first thought is to defend, and defend well, and that can grate a little on supporters hoping to see expansive, attacking football. In a battling bottom-half outfit, on the other hand, Dummett is now appreciated.
The Geordie Welsh international is good in the air, holds his own in almost any one-on-one situation and loves nothing more than a 50-50 – or even a 40-60.
Dummett is forging an effective left-sided partnership with Kenedy, too, and it is up to Newcastle to recruit a like-for-like replacement for the Brazilian should he head back to Chelsea at the end of the season.
Presumably unlike Kenedy, there is a long-term future for Dummett on Tyneside, sealed in ink on Thursday.
“In modern football, there are not too many consistent left-sided full-backs; Paul is exactly that,” Benitez told the club’s official website as a new contract was confirmed for the 26-year-old.
It is a deal that should be celebrated by all in NE1, even if Dummett does not appear the most thrilling of signings.
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