Why Newcastle United should have signed Duvan Zapata
Newcastle United were heading into the Premier League season with a lot of uncertainty around the club after Rafa Benitez’s departure.
Every result was going to question new boss Steve Bruce’s credentials but after the first international break out of the way, there’ll be more positives than negatives.
Things weren’t looking good before the game against Tottenham Hotspur but after the win away from home against last season’s European finalists, they followed it up with a point at home to Watford.
An important facet from the game against Spurs was that centre-forward Joelinton got off the mark.
The Brazilian scored a goal after having to work tirelessly in all his games so far. The 23-year-old joined from Hoffenheim with the reputation of being an all-action forward, who was known for his hold-up play, trickery, passing and work rate.
Newcastle have some exciting front players in Miguel Almiron and Allain Saint-Maximin as well but none of them is an out-and-out goalscorer. One player they were linked with was Atalanta’s on-loan forward Duvan Zapata, who has scored 28 goals and registered 8 assists in all competitions.
The Colombian is a bit of a lot bloomer but he has shown his strength, speed and finishing attributes since his move to Atalanta. He has carried that form into the new season by scoring 2 goals in 2 games.
Newcastle have a lot of players who can create chances, despite playing a fairly defensive system. Someone like Zapata would have been perfect for them as he can get onto those chances.
The Magpies cannot always play on the counter-attack, especially in home games, and a player like him would have provided an outlet.
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It would have also taken the goalscoring burden away from Joelinton and helped him move back to what he’s best at. Newcastle would’ve been a far stronger outfit with his signature in the summer.