According to The Sun, as cited by ChronicleLive, Newcastle United are eyeing a move for Scott Dann this summer. The Crystal Palace defender has been identified as a key target for the Magpies as they aim to add more quality to the defensive department. The report claims that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez holds Dann in high esteem and a move could be completed for as low as £6 million.
Scott Dann’s recent struggles at Crystal Palace
After playing a monumental role for Crystal Palace during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 campaign, Dann’s importance at the club has taken a massive hit following the arrival of Mamadou Sakho in 2017.
The former Liverpool outcast has built a formidable defensive partnership with James Tomkins at the heart of Palace’s four-man backline. As a result, Dann’s overall game-time has been drastically minimised in recent years. However, injuries have also played a key role, with the defender most notably suffering from a cruciate ligament rupture in December 2017 that kept him out for almost a year.
Hence, it comes as no surprise that the 32-year-old has mustered only 660 minutes of league football in the recently concluded Premier League campaign.
What will Dann bring to the table?
The central aspect of Dann’s defensive game is his sheer commitment and discipline. The Palace defender is also great in terms of his positioning sense, which allows him to neutralise any potential counter-attacking threat.
Also, he is quite useful when it comes to aerial duels, mainly due to his 188 cm frame. That means he is an intimidating presence in the backline and is also an indirect threat from set-pieces. He has notably scored 15 goals during his time at Crystal Palace.
However, what makes Dann such an appealing target for Newcastle United is his experience in the English top flight. The 32-year-old has already made almost 150 Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace, and this experience could be useful for any mid-table club in the league.
Where does Dann fit in at Newcastle?
Dann could be a smart short-term replacement for Florian Lejeune. The Frenchman has continued to struggle with an ACL injury for the most part of the 2018/19 campaign. Even now, the 28-year-old is suffering from a knee problem, with his return still unknown.
The addition of Dann, therefore, will provide Rafa Benitez with some much-needed depth in the defensive department. It will also provide the Spaniard with tactical flexibility as he could deploy Dann in a three-man backline, which, in turn, will allow Paul Dummett to feature in his preferred left wing-back slot. And given his vast experience in English football, Dann will be a smart investment for the Magpies this summer.
