Gabri-El of a Signing

Gabri-El of a Signing

Thursday, 11 August 2011 09:10 Michael Weightman

Monday saw Newcastle complete their fifth signing of the summer transfer window as Gabriel Obertan ended his two year spell at Old Trafford by joining the Mags on a five year deal. It was a transfer that took fans from both sides by surprise and had a large number of Red Devils questioning why their club had let a talented youngster go.

However there were probably just as many Black and Whites wondering why he was brought in, especially when we are crying out for a centre forward and left back. The player himself certainly has something to prove after playing a bit-pat role over the last couple of years and it’s this hunger and desire that could make him a very shrewd acquisition.

Replacement

The way for any team to evolve is to make sure that those players coming in are better than those on their way out and those already there. With the exception of perhaps Joey Barton, it would be fair to say that Obertan is as good if not better than any of our other wingers. He has genuine Champions League experience and has been learning alongside the likes of Nani, Giggs and Valencia over the last two years. He may simply have not been given a fair crack of the whip at Man Utd and let’s not forget Fergie doesn’t always get it right, just ask Rossi and Forlan.

Furthermore after receiving £2million for a 26 year old Wayne Routledge, who has proved on numerous occasions that he can’t cut it at the top level, putting faith in a talented, hungry 22 year old is exactly the sort of business we should be doing.

Pace

The Gaffer has continually said that this is one element he is desperate to add to the team and it’s something Obertan has in abundance. Added to this the sharpness of Marveaux and Ben Arfa plus the energy of Tiote and Gosling and it really looks like a fresher and more mobile Newcastle midfield. It’s the main thing that frightens defenders and even those with lesser ability can compensate by simply having a quick pair of heels. Cast your mind back to the Robson era and remember the pace that ran though that side. The likes of Dyer, Bellamy, Robert, Lua Lua et al weren’t the greatest players ever to play in the league but their energy and speed frightened oppositions. If this could be re-created in the current crop of players then the Obertan addition could prove very valuable indeed.

Is he needed?

It’s most definitely a question that needs answering; with Jonas, Joey and Marveaux already at the club is a winger really the sort of player we should be going for. He won’t have any trouble fitting in being the fifth French speaking player to arrive this summer but there’s at least one of those who he’ll be battling with for a place in the starting line up. Given the injury problems encountered by both Marveaux and Ben Arfa it seems like sensible planning to bring in a similar sort of player and when all are fit it really does look like and tantalising  proposition.

Who next

Undoubtedly all us are hoping that there’s at least another couple of signings on the way and, keeping with the theme from earlier, that one of them is a pacey striker. If Obertan though does prove to be our final signing of the summer then questions need to be asked. However if the other faces do arrive then it has to be said that the Toon have bought a very good player, at a very good age and paid a very good price. He may not have shown what he was all about at Man Utd but there was certainly glimpses that made you stand up take notice. It’s this excitement and trickery that we are all hoping Ober-can show in Black and White.