Yoshinori Muto hasn’t had a brilliant debut year as a Newcastle player.
Other than his performance at Old Trafford where he scored his first and only goal, there hasn’t been a lot to shout about for the Japanese international.
He did win that penalty against Cardiff back at the start of the campaign, but that isn’t remembered fondly after Kenedy fluffed his lines.
Since returning from the Asian Cup, Muto has had limited opportunities. But with Premier League survival now all but confirmed, he should be given a chance.
Muto needs minutes
Considering how much he cost, Muto needs to be given a chance to prove his worth.
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£9.5million isn’t a lot in the grand scheme of things, but it is when you’re owned by Mike Ashley.
The forward’s pace and enthusiasm make him an exciting player, but he just hasn’t had any luck in a Newcastle shirt.
His performances have been inconsistent, shining at times then proving to be an absolute disaster. More often than not, he’s made appearances off the bench, but in games where the Magpies are already behind and looking desperate.
The deck has often been stacked against Muto, meaning he hasn’t had much of a chance to succeed.
But with our Premier League future looking bright, Rafa Benitez can now experiment.
The 26-year-old needs a chance to prove his worth to the manager. Over the next four games, Muto needs minutes to show what he can truly do.
If he shines, then we have a boost going into next season. If he flops, then there could be no future in the North East for Muto.