Can Newcastle keep Taylor, N’Zogbia and Milner?
There has been speculation that given Newscastle’s yo-yo seasons, a few Premiership clubs will be very interested in taking Newcastle’s young talent off Roeder’s hands this summer.
The recent spec surrounds Steven Taylor and Charles N’Zogbia, although if you want to be complete James Milner has to be included in any such discussion because of his talents and young age.
Instead of opining recklessly on their fates, I’ll restrict myself to commenting on their quality and whether they are good enough to go play for bigger sides.
I’d add that within the Premiership, there’s the top four, then there are the second-tier clubs such as Tottenham and Newcastle, and then there is everyone else who are ‘in season’ depending on their form and league position. Everton, Bolton and Blackburn have all laid claim to second-tier status, but they are not operating on the same budgets as Tottenham and Newcastle and that makes things a bit difficult for them.
Steven Taylor - Good kid, but I don’t see him replacing any center-back in the top four just yet. He could have been useful for Chelsea during their recent injury crisis, and I suppose Arsenal wouldn’t have minded his presence either. But at his current level, Taylor will be third or fourth choice at best, so he needs time to grow.
Any other club? Tottenham are an option (King and Taylor, with Dawson and Rocha as backups), but that’s a sideways move, so no go there.
Charles N’Zogbia - Same as Taylor, except that N’Zogbia could be a good investment for Arsenal (considering that they lack genuine wingers. Newcastle need not worry though - Arsenal aren’t looking at him, they’re looking at the next bext 17 year old (after the fantastic successes of Fabregas, Diaby, Denilson and Walcott (tongue-in-cheek)).
James Milner - A good prospect for the future and his direct style would make him a good impact player for any of the top four sides. My personal view on Milner is that he’s greatly under-rated and that Newcastle would have to work hard to keep him at the club this summer. I wouldn’t mind seeing him at United, and I doubt that Arsenal or Liverpool would mind him either. Chelsea? They already have Joe Cole and Arjen Robben, they’re not a class winger short like the others.
What do you guys think? Are Taylor, N’Zogbia and Milner good enough to earn a place in the starting XI of the top four (in a couple of years from now)? And where will they be next summer?
Ahmed - there’s no chance of either of the three leaving Newcastle. They are all getting games at Newcastle and playing well - and learning their trade - and as Roeder says - if we are to progress to become a better team and more accomplished club (like winning things) - we need guys like these.
The advanatge Newcastle has over the top four teams is that these kids are getting regular Premiership football - which they wouldn’t get at the top four clubs.
Nzogbia is the one we would really need. A potential Giggs replacement
When you’re a Frenchman the lights of London will eventually start attracting you. The problem with United is the location of Manchester - probably the biggest reason why it is so hard to see C.Ronaldo to stick with United more than 3-4 years more…
N’Zogbia could go. And if we get a decent money back - £7M+ (it is unlikely just yet - I know) - then I would release him and invest to defenders. We would still have Duff + Milner. And Milner might be a Geordie lad growing - I can easily imagine him playing a big part for us for a long time.
Taylor I agree with you. He is definitely not ready to go any of the big4. And even in Tottenham he would struggle to get past Dawson.
Ed,
what do you think about Sidwell? You reckon that we have a chance of getting him? Parker-Sidwell could be a great midfield for years to come.. Owen-Oba up front.. And then some the defenders you talked earlier.. Milner-Duff-Zogbia on wings..
It would really start to look like a team that could contest top4 place. No chance for Championship, but like Spurs last year - top4 place could be possible with a good run.
MKL - yes I think we have a chance of getting Sidwell - and he would be great at Newcastle.
In fact this summer we have a chance to greatly improve our team with lots of good players available and Newcastle has big leverage over the top 4 - because they will get regular football at Newcastle - not so at the top 4.
So we’ll see - but it will be very interesting what Roeder does ( I have great confidence in Glenn - he knows what makes Newcastle fans tick - and what he needs to do at Newcastle to succeed)
I cannot wait to see Martins - Owen together - this season hopefully - but we will also need some height up front.
N’Zogbia could go for the right price, but any suggestion that Stephen Taylor would leave Newcastle, his boyhood team is simply ridiculous. No chance.
Definitely. I just hope that they rest Owen enough. No need to rush for few games, let him get good and get a full pre-season under.
I’m kind of hoping we could be able to get Crouch quite cheaply - £7-8M. He would give us height and lots of options..
Sidwell for free.. Can’t get a better deal, really..
After that, it all in the air. Glenn has done well so far, but I’m little cautious that he might be too careful. We really need two or three defenders that really push for starting XI.
As important, though, as it is to get some new players, it is to keep all we have. Obafemi might attract interest from teams playing in Champions League - and I can’t really say that he would have any ties to North (at least just yet).
milner to Man Utd! that cracking goal he scored!