Many felt Newcastle United’s 2020 summer transfer window left a lot to be desired.
Callum Wilson was brought in from Bournemouth for a reported £20 million which has proven to be a great deal.
But beyond the England international, it’s all been a bit average.
Jeff Hendrick and Jamal Lewis have not pulled up any trees, while Ryan Fraser has struggled for minutes so far having had some fitness issues.
Fans will be clamouring to see some fresh faces this month, but there is an understandable feeling of pessimism at the moment.
There were plenty of players linked with St. James who didn’t end up moving to the north east in the summer, and one man who is starting to look like a real oversight by the club, is Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze.
The 22-year-old is fast beginning to find his feet at Selhurst Park following his £20 million move (Sky Sports), and was said to be on Newcastle’s radar before moving to the Eagles (Guardian).
Eze was on the scoresheet at the weekend, bagging against Sheffield United in stunning fashion.
He picked the ball up in his own half, waltzed past a defender like it was nothing before calmly passing the ball into the far corner from the edge of the area.
It was a quality, if not nonchalant goal, and the mark of someone who could have made a big difference for Newcastle.
Eze has everything Newcastle need
He is still quite raw, but Eze is going to be some player.
His ability to carry the ball over large distances without being dispossessed is highly impressive, and his desire to be direct and make things happen is to be applauded.
It is unknown how close, if at all, Newcastle actually came to signing Eze in the summer, but he’s certainly looking like one that got away for Steve Bruce, who is lacking proactive midfield players right now.
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