Rafael Benitez and Newcastle United find themselves in pole position for a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The Magpies are on top of the standings in the EFL Championship and with 8 games left to play, a promotion to the top division of English football looks certain. Although manager Rafael Benitez has the best squad in the Championship at his disposal, there are questions about the suitability of the same roster to the Premier League.
It is certain that added reinforcements will be necessary ahead of the top flight next season for Newcastle if they are to put up a decent showing in their comeback season. With that in mind, here we come up with three players from the Premier League who will help Newcastle put up a fight in the Premier League.
Jay Rodriguez
The Southampton striker finds himself way down the pecking order at the St. Mary’s behind the likes of Manolo Gabbiadini, Shane Long, and Charlie Austin.
At 27 years of age, Rodriguez still has a great deal of football left in him and has proved that he can be a reliable source of goals in the top division. The forward has scored 5 goals in 27 appearances for the Saints this season and also has 2 assists to his name as well.
While Dwight Gayle has scored plenty in the Championship this season, his struggles with Crystal Palace in the Premier League not so long ago aren’t forgotten. With Aleksandar Mitrovic’s inconsistency and Daryl Murphy’s age, Newcastle will be benefitted by signing a striker in the summer and Rodriguez has the quality to help them in the upcoming season.
Gylfi Sigurdsson
There have been rumours doing the rounds that Benitez is looking at Gylfi Sigurdsson as a serious option in the transfer window and it would prove to be a statement signing if he manages to get the Iceland international.
Sigurdsson has been one of the most consistent attacking midfielders in the Premier League over the past two years and has been Swansea City’s best player during that time. This season as well, the 27-year old has been performing exceedingly well, despite the Swans’ struggles for large parts of the season. The Iceland attacker has scored 9 goals and has set up 11 strikes this season.
With Newcastle not being the most fluent of the sides in the attacking third, adding someone of the quality and the ability of Sigurdsson to their ranks will go a long way in strengthening the team.
Daniel Sturridge
Another attacking addition that could add more firepower to Newcastle would be Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool. The 27-year old has found it hard to settle into Jurgen Klopp’s scheme of things and injuries haven’t helped his cause either.
The English striker has scored 6 times this season for Liverpool and has also registered 3 assists from 21 appearances. Despite his recent struggles, Sturridge’s quality remains undoubted. His injury history will be a cause for concern, but if he manages to stay fit for the course of the season, goals will flow without a question.
If Liverpool look to offload the striker in the summer, Benitez could get a deal done with his former club, and land Sturridge in the summer.
