The loan term of Adam Armstrong at Bolton Wanderers is set to end by January and Newcastle United might just agree to extend the spell for the remainder of the season. Armstrong is a striker who has failed to hit the ground running at the Macron Stadium with just 3 goals in 22 appearances this season.
His last goal came against Norwich on the 4th of November and has so far been ineffective with Bolton dropping to the relegation zone. The 20-year-old was not even called up for the Boxing Day fixture against Middlesbrough. His struggles can somehow be attributed to the manager’s decision to field him in the left wing position.
Armstrong thrives in the central striker role as seen from his loan spell in Coventry City. He bagged 20 goals in 40 appearances for the League Two side in the 2015-16 season and looked like the perfect young forward the Magpies needed.
Although struggling to find goals it has brought to light the discipline of Armstrong and the ability to sacrifice for the benefit of the team. He holds his position well and even puts in a decent defensive shit whenever required.
Armstrong has been blessed with lightning pace down the stretch which is terrorizing for every defender. He is not short of dribbling abilities either with a strong right foot. His aerial abilities are still questionable but cannot be critiqued too much.
Newcastle are currently struggling in the bottom third of the Premier League and are eager to sign more quality to the side from the upcoming transfer window. Rafael Benitez has been scouting top talents from all over Europe to add to his squad with the limited resources he has at his disposal.
First team strikers, Dwight Gayle and Joselu have been their best-attacking threat this season with 3 goals each. However, they have not exactly been firing on all cylinders and a push towards safety in the second half of the season will require a motivated display from Benitez’s men.
Armstrong is best suited to play with a striker alongside him and can be exactly what the side needs right now. After spending 2 seasons in lower divisions of English football, he might not be accustomed to the pace of the Premier League. However, once he starts scoring with the right amount of supply, he can make a significant change.
With the club owners reluctant to invest heavily, it is yet to see whether Benitez will let go of a prime asset over the fear of returning to the EFL Championship.
