Rafael Benitez appears unsure of powerful, targetman strikers – so why would Newcastle United bid £27m for La Liga frontman Willian Jose?
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s most recent Newcastle United appearances have been characterised by a hatful of fluffed chances. But it’s worth remembering that his recent profligacy is not the reason for his omission from the Newcastle starting XI. In fact, he’s spent the entire season glued to the substitute’s bench.
Handed just eight Championship starts in 2016/17, Mitrovic is clearly not at the forefront of Rafael Benitez’s plans at Newcastle. Therefore, making a club record bid for a striker with a strikingly similar playing style, if a better goal record, appears to make little sense.
The Daily Mirror claims that Newcastle are among the vast array of clubs monitoring Real Sociedad’s battering ram frontman Willian Jose. The Brazilian, valued at a frankly absurd £27 million, has netted nine times in La Liga this season for La Real after impressing last year at the tip of Las Palmas’ roving frontline.
However, despite bullying Barcelona back in November, scoring in wins against Atletico, Valencia and Villarreal, Willian Jose hardly stands out as an ideal fit for a Benitez side. Think about the strikers who have thrived under the Spaniard – Fernando Torres, Miguel Mista, Gonzalo Higuain, Dwight Gayle – either technically excellent or naturally quick, blessed with superb movement and link play.
Jose, however, is much more a throwback. At 6ft 1ins, he hardly towers over the average centre back, but his game relies on holding up the ball, playing with his back to goal and leading the line with power and presence.
Yet, when you consider Mitrovic’s lack of opportunities under Benitez at Newcastle, and even Peter Crouch’s reduced role when at Liverpool, it seems that traditional, targetman forwards are viewed by the Spaniard as little more than a Plan B.
It also appears unlikely that penny-pinching owner Mike Ashley will splash out £27 million on an impact sub.
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