But that is really hard to do - the 30 million+ guys are usually more attacking players, whose effectiveness is going to be limited by the rest of the side. Coutinho is just not the sort of player you want to bring in to turn things around, through his whole career he has had a tendency to get a little lost in a team. Luxury player is a bit cruel, and understates how good he can be. But those are exactly the sort of players that will be available to them in January.
James rodrigues at everton shows that just because you pay a fading star a ton of money they will not necessarily be motivated enough to take you to the next level.
Itll be half a decade before we have to worry about Newcastle. A lot of things can happen by then.
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Coutinho could be the smartest buy for them. At his best when the team is built around him - got lost when surrounded by more talent.
Not that old still, and capable of adding the goals Newcastle needs to stay up. And might be one willing to take the money and okaying time for the chance to remain part of a much improved team a few years down the road.
Still think they chopped Bruce to quick without a plan and structure in place and that could set them back a year. A little like FSG making the wrong choice with Comoli on their first try.
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Who said anything about a fading star.
They could easily get 5 prem players who improve them.
30m for Nat would be great business for them, a player that would improve them instantly, but 5th choice for us is probably more important as he will definitely be an extended 4th choice at some stage of this season (Joe out now, donât know for how long).
I think he would be a smart summer buy for them, just not as convinced that they could build a team around him quickly enough.
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Would Coutinho sign? Would Nat sign?
Which players would sign for a club that is so deep in a relegation battle in January?
Only money grabbing mercenaries without ambition.
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I suspect Howe is there while they build their infrastructure around him, giving them time to then bring in the quality of manager they are looking for. Presumably with a similar approach to football. Maybe the likes of Potter and Den Haag could be on the list once the season is over?
I agree switching from a defensive style of football will be difficult (particularly because Howe seems to struggle with that side of the game) but I think he can do enough of a job to keep them up, which is all their board probably need him to do at this time.
I am sure with some clubs struggling financially, there will be opportunities to bring in some players on good deals, if they have the right people to spot and negotiate them. Howe coming in now gives them time to work on that.
Depends on the terms, but I could see how they could consider that a serious option. Coutinho could be a loan deal - only real obstacle is what Xavi wants from him really. I think for Nat, regular football for a premier league team would be attractive. I donât think he would have expected more than that - and in all seriousness any team he joined is likely to be facing a relegation battle. he has the chance to get himself into what could be a good side over time, at the start.
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Hard to say - Coutinho seems the most interesting name who might signâŚ
I wouldnât say only mercenaries. There is obviously a bright future for the ambitious at Newcastle - with a little patience.
I agree though there is a limited profile of player right now as they start building who will be willing to take the chance. Probably a lot of players with flaws or questions about them who will take the money or the chance to prove they still belong in a few years when theyâve been able to attract a lot more talent.
Thereâs only one reason why Coutinho would go to Newcastle and thatâs money! Thereâs nothing else in the plus column to persuade him to sign.
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Well, Barca wants him out, and he is on-and-off for playing time there, so it might come down to what other options he has. For him, unlike many of the foreign players Toon might be looking at, the PL is something of a known entity. He had the best years of his career in it. His preference would likely be to go back to Bayern, but that may simply not be an option.
Unlike a manager, being there for five difficult months wonât get him dumped.
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If PL clubs are willing to deal with them in January then I think their best realistic move might be for Tarkowski.
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The fans will want a big name signing in January.
Not sure if Tarkowski counts.
The Tarkowski example is a really good one - probably not sexy enough for the fans or the owners, not what everyone was dreaming of, but exactly the kind of acquisition that would have let Bruce get them out of trouble while building a solid foundation for the shiny new manager they could hire to take over in the summer, survival safely assured.
They really should have started with a Director of Football.
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Isnât Burnley too in a spot of bother? Would they shoot themselves in the leg?
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He is out of contract in June, and if Toon were willing to overpay, Burnley would very likely cash in. Not a wealthy enough club to see assets walk out the door for nothing, and they can probably turn around and bring in some yard dog from the Championship at a fraction of the cost who can do what a Burnley centre back needs to do.
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Could that be what they are planning for Howe?
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They were keen on Nat even after they brought in the other lad. I wonder if he was viewed in the summer as their favoured replacement for Tarkowski, were he to have left?
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Hadnât thought about it, maybe an option?
The fact that there are credible reports about Tarkowski suggests someone there has some sort of plan.
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