Newcastle have quickly gone from relegation favorites to top 10 favorites within the space of 5 Premier League matches this term, and if there is a man truly deserving of the plaudits as far as the Magpies’ swift change in fortunes go, it’s Scottish winger Matt Ritchie.
The 28-year-old assisted all 3 goals in Newcastle’s last 2 games, while also grabbing one during the 3-nil drubbing of West Ham, and is only being led by Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the assist charts.
Since arriving Saint James’ Park from Bournemouth for £12million in the summer of 2016, Ritchie has proved to be an inspired signing, and from his consistency from then till date, there is no argument he is Newcastle’s best player.
How the Cherries allowed such player leave remains a mystery, and their loss will forever be the Toons’ gain.
Only Dwight Gayle scored more than Ritchie’s 12 league goals last season, while only Jonjo Shelvey assisted more than his 7.
Having orchestrated 4 of all the 6 league goals Newcastle have managed this term, it’s obvious Ritchie’s importance to the club can’t be described by mere words, and going forward, the 28-year-old Scotland international has provided a perfect backdrop as to why he will be Newcastle’s most important player this season.
