Newcastle United have been linked with a bevy of wing players so far this summer, despite having quite an adequate number in supply already.
Whether it be veterans wingers or exciting youngsters with place aplenty, the Magpies have been linked with them. But no matter how much of a sure thing a winger looks, fans of the club should be wary due to Rafa Benitez’s history at signing wingers, particularly those that were signed at Liverpool.
When at Liverpool, Benitez’s side became synonymous with a few players. Alonso, Gerrard, Torres. Notice a trend here? They are all players that are deployed in the ‘spine.’
These players controlled the tactics of the team, and rightfully so, but it pointed toward a weakness- or possibly a strength in Benitez’s game. It showed he does not use wingers very much.
Remember the likes of Albert Riera, Ryan Babel, or the dreaded Nabil El Zhar, anyone? Jermaine Pennant and even Craig Bellamy also failed to deliver all that much in truth.
Let’s not even bring up the God-awful Milan Jovanovic, who signed for free and still looked far too expensive. Those players bit the dust, never making an impact.
Remember when he tried to sign Gareth Barry to play out wide? Yes, he did sign Luis Garcia. That almost looks like the exception than proves the very rule we are seeking to prove here. In fact, to go further, Benitez’s best wide player in his era was a prolific striker named Dirk Kuyt.
This doesn’t mean that anyone Newcastle sign are poor players. They might well turn good. But it does point to either a weakness, or a conscious tactical decision to emphasize the central part of the pitch. So, to fans of the club, you must be patient and know that it will take some time for them possibly to bed in if they are signed.
