It appears that Newcastle United are after a centre midfielder in January. According to Sky Sports, the Magpies have held talks with Strasbourg about signing Ibrahima Sissoko.
The report states that he could cost £10.5 million, a reasonable fee for a highly-rated player who is just 22.
But while it’s good to see Newcastle recognising their need for a centre midfielder, Sissoko is not the kind they need.
Steve Bruce’s big problem this season has been creating chances and using the ball. While our creative players have struggled, some blame has to go to the other midfielders in the side as well.
Isaac Hayden and Sean Longstaff are both good players, but a lot of their best work is done off the ball, winning back possession with their fantastic work rate.
Longstaff has the potential to be a ball-playing midfielder, but that’s a role he’s not fully suited to yet. While he does have a strong passing range, he’s not quite good enough to dominate and dictate from the middle of the park. That will come in time.
We need a player who can put his foot on the ball, move it forwards and start attacks from deep. A bit like Jonjo Shelvey, but someone who can be relied upon consistently. A better example would be someone like Yohan Cabaye. The Frenchman was an expert at controlling the game.
But back to Sissoko. He doesn’t seem like the kind of player who will dictate play from deep.
When you look at the stats, he seems more of a ball winner, which is something we’ve already got. And his numbers aren’t too different to Longstaff or Hayden.
Newcastle are right to go for a midfielder, but they need to try again as a player like Sissoko is not what we’re missing.
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