Chris Sutton can hardly believe what has been going on at Newcastle United over the past few days.
The Magpies have not been in action due to the Premier League‘s winter break, yet they have been hogging the headlines with talk of key players leaving St James’ Park.
Kieran Trippier could be going to Bayern Munich. Callum Wilson has been the subject of interest from Atletico Madrid and AC Milan. Miguel Almiron is a target for Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab and is valued at £30million.
And these are all players that could leave this month. That is before we move on to the summer, where rumours are already circulating that Bruno Guimaraes could call time on his Newcastle United career. As for Joelinton, his future is uncertain given his contract situation. That could result in him leaving too.
All the while, Eddie Howe is not able to sign anyone. His squad is not getting any stronger during the January transfer window, and the only way that it will is if he sells someone.
It is proving to be a really challenging and frustrating month for Newcastle United, and pundit Chris Sutton can’t quite fathom what on earth is going on in the North East.
Chris Sutton is shocked by recent Newcastle rumours
Chris Sutton has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about what is going on at Newcastle, expressing his bemusement at recent stories he has been reading.
“I’ve got to say I didn’t see any of this coming really, because there’s been so much excitement with what Eddie Howe has achieved last season,” he said.
“Apparently the world’s richest club. This season has been difficult for many reasons. The squad has been stretched.
“But I didn’t see any of this coming in January where you’re talking about key players for the team moving on. I saw the story about Trippier a few days ago and then backed up by the one against Callum Wilson.
“I thought ‘really? What on earth is going on at Newcastle?’. I suppose there are Newcastle supporters who are absolutely bemused by what is going on and talk of selling the best players when they still want to have a go and qualify for Europe next season. That looks like it’s going to be a tall order, so you’re thinking ‘we’ve got to keep our best players’.”
Newcastle fans share Sutton’s sentiments
Sutton is absolutely right. What is going on right now is absolutely crazy, considering there was nothing but positivity surrounding the club not long ago.
Sure, the current campaign isn’t going to plan, but it is far from terrible. Injuries have crippled us, while it was always going to be extremely difficult to replicate what we achieved last season.
Yet suddenly it is doom and gloom with our best players needing to go. It is hard to wrap your head around, and it suddenly feels like a lifetime ago that Eddie Howe’s players actually kicked a ball.
This January transfer window has been hugely frustrating, with the club unable to afford new signings due to profit and sustainability rules. That has increased the need to sell, but this has only come about because of the ongoing injury crisis. We wouldn’t need new recruits if we didn’t have so many injuries – or the Sandro Tonali situation.
As Sutton says, there is bemusement among Toon fans, who are just desperate to get back to talking about the actual football. That will happen this weekend, with Newcastle facing Fulham in the FA Cup at Craven Cottage.
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