In the Sky Bet Championship this season, Newcastle United have been a side who have reconstructed themselves into a notable structure under the impeccable tutelage of Rafael Benitez. A demotion from the Premier League last time around did put a severe dent on their credentials but right from the onset, they embraced the challenge of paving their way back to the top flight and have acted accordingly.
The Geordies are placed at the summit of the Championship table and aren’t only likely to clinch an automatic promotion spot but are the firm favourites at the moment to bag the Championship silverware as well. With promotion looking very likely to be the outcome at the end of the ongoing campaign, Benitez has already started to chalk out his prospective targets for the summer and if reports are to be believed, one of the players he has put on his radar is Ben Gibson.
Gibson is one of the hottest properties which the struggling Premier League outfit, Middlesbrough, could possibly boast of. The central defender was a key member under the tactical nous of Aitor Karanka and considering the fact that his value is unlikely to be diluted under Steve Agnew, his stocks, however, are likely to rise. The Toons do have an excellent central defensive pairing of Jamaal Lascelles and Ciaran Clark, with support from the likes of Chancel Mbemba and Grant Hanley but Gibson is certainly a shining light on a different pedestal.
In 28 league games this campaign, he has made 0.9 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, 6.2 clearances and 0.9 blocks apart from having a goal to his name. Gibson is a modern-day defender who can ply his trade at the heart of the defence but also at the left-back slot, is technically sound, physically resolute and hardly puts a foot wrong. Owing to his fruitful season in the Premier League, he was handed a call-up to the national squad to face Lithuania.
Gibson has earned the Premier League experience which would come handy for a side like Newcastle United who would require a couple of additions at the back which includes the addition of quality and Gibson certainly is one who could fit the bill. Considering the likelihood of relegation of the Smoggies and promotion of Newcastle United, the Middlesbrough youth product might look for an exit and if Benitez makes an early move, he might be able to land his target in the summer.
However, let us address the elephant in the room: Why would Gibson want to join Newcastle United when he has the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City interested in him as well? A very good question, one to which we have unfortunately no answer to.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored