An immediate return to the Premier League is all set to be unfolded for Newcastle United, considering how they have plied their trade in the Championship this season. Despite their demotion from the top tier last time around, the rejuvenated spirit of the Geordies under the tutelage of Rafael Benitez has made them a highly functional side who are now sitting firmly at the pinnacle of the league chart in the second division.
Benitez isn’t unfamiliar with the perspective that he would have make some shrewd signings in the summer to ensure they do not crumble like a house of cards like they did in the 2015-16 season of the Premier League. Amongst the other things which need to be amended, the striking department is the one which faces an urgent need of strengthening and one of the players to have been linked with a move to St. James’ Park is Burnley’s forward Andre Gray.
Gray has been enjoying a decent spell in the Premier League with the Clarets, scoring 8 goals and registering 2 assists in 23 appearances, apart from jotting down 0.7 key passes every game on an average. The former Real Madrid boss’ interest in the former Brentford striker makes perfect sense, considering the fact that he is looking for a consistent goal-getter who could go toe-to-toe with Dwight Gayle for the poacher’s role and to get an immediate upgrade over the likes of Aleksander Mitrovic and Daryl Murphy.
In the ongoing season, we have seen Benitez facing a lot of trouble to put his tactical nous on the pitch owing to the recurring hamstring injury to Gayle. The Toons’ form did hit a low more often than not every time the former Crystal Palace striker was sidelined. The apparent lack of a genuine hitman with sheer predatory instincts did disrupt their momentum and frankly speaking, they just cannot afford to have such loose end next season in the top flight.
Gray has all the ingredients in him to be a very shrewd acquisition by Newcastle United in the summer. With clinical finishing technique being his strongest suit, he creates many goal scoring chances with his creativity in the final third, has a decent pace and holds on to the ball pretty well. Moreover, he has the experience of plying his trade in the Premier League and this should come really handy for the black and white crop.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
