It was another rollercoaster ride for Newcastle United in the recently concluded Premier League campaign under Rafael Benitez. The Magpies finished 13th in the league table. But, their lack of attacking resources remains an issue, with Newcastle ending the 2018/19 campaign as the fifth lowest scorer in the division.
Hence, Benitez will be needing attacking reinforcements this summer. Especially in the left-wing slot, the Spaniard only has Christian Atsu as a viable option. And with the ex-Chelsea attacker struggling with lack of consistency and productivity this past season, Newcastle will welcome the arrival of a new winger.
There are many options available in the market. But, very few would be better suited to Newcastle’s style of play than Borussia Dortmund prodigy Jacob Bruun Larsen. The Danish winger has been a part of the Borussia Dortmund senior side since 2017, barring a short-loan spell at VfB Stuttgart during the Ruckrunde of the 2017/18 campaign. However, he hasn’t quite been able to make a breakthrough into the starting lineup, having made only 32 appearances for the Black and Yellows.
Why Jacob Bruun Larsen should make the move to Newcastle United?
The emergence of Jadon Sancho, coupled with the return to fitness of Marco Reus has played a key role in minimising Bruun Larsen’s overall game-time in Dortmund this past season. And the youngster faces an uncertain future at the club after Dortmund confirmed the arrivals of two attacking superstars in Julian Brandt and Thorgan Hazard this summer.
Hence, a move away from Ruhrpott could be a logical move. And Newcastle, in that regard, appears as an ideal alternative for the Dortmund academy graduate. As iterated earlier, the Magpies should be keen on signing a new left-winger this summer – making this deal beneficial for both the player as well as the club.
A direct winger who can really serve Newcastle well
Bruun Larsen is advertised as a direct winger, who likes to get to the byline and provide dangerous crosses into the box. He offers a lot of mobility in the final third and can occupy at least one or two defenders using his intelligent movements.
Furthermore, the 20-year-old is blessed with technical quality that enables him to link-up with teammates and create scoring opportunities.
However, what makes Bruun Larsen such a viable target for the Magpies is his versatility. The Dortmund attacker, aside from his preferred left-wing slot, can also feature on the opposite flank as well as in the secondary striker role. That means he can offer Benitez with tactical flexibility in the final third, which often becomes important in such a long and strenuous schedule of English football.
That being said, it’s still unclear whether or not Lucien Favre will want to get rid of Bruun-Larsen this summer. And if he does, it’s likely that the Swiss will only want to sanction a season-long loan deal. But it’s something Newcastle should definitely explore as they aim to add more quality to their attack next season.
