Newcastle United earned an immediate return back to the Premier League by clinching the Championship title under the tutelage of Rafael Benitez. Despite getting demoted last season from the English top flight, the Magpies didn’t let their spirits wither away, regrouped themselves very quickly and kept producing handsomely consistent results which were masterminded by Benitez and the output they have mustered is the testament to the same.
The former Real Madrid boss would have to keep channelising the club in the right direction in the Premier League and thus, adding the necessary weaponry to their armoury during the summer transfer window shall hold paramount importance for the Geordies. One of the players to have been on Benitez’s radar for quite some time now is Fulham’s sensational midfielder, Tom Cairney. However, with no pressure on the Cottagers to sell Cairney, they have slapped a price tag of £20 million on him as they aim to keep him in their books beyond the ongoing campaign.
The midfielder has emerged as one of the most tantalising prospects which the English soil offers at this stroke of the hour. The Toons are looking for quality to bolster their ranks and without any shadow of a doubt, Cairney ticks many boxes of an appealing midfielder. The Scot generally operates as a central attacking midfielder, although he is capable enough to be plying his trade as a central midfielder as well as a central defensive midfielder. He has emerged as Fulham’s well-oiled midfield engine and has been one of the main reasons why the London-based outfit made it to the playoffs.
The 26-year-old has been in an absolutely fantastic form for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side this season, banging 13 goals and registering 10 assists in 46 Championship appearances. Apart from this, he has clocked an eye-catchy pass accuracy of 92.5% with as many as 2.6 key passes per game on an average and no wonder why his stocks have risen so much. He holds on to the ball well, has an excellent and precise passing range, frequently tests the goalkeeper, holds the ball well in the final third and ejects meticulous crosses as well.
Cairney is Fulham’s prized asset and his price tag shouldn’t really be questioned in any manner whatsoever as it makes complete sense. Newcastle United are a big club and should be looking forward to making the necessary and adequate investments over the course of the summer transfer window and the Fulham star should top their wish-list. Benitez would be doing himself as well as his side a massive favour if he manages to convince the board to lure the former Blackburn Rovers man to St. James’ Park.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored.com
