The Bournemouth striker has long been linked with a winter migration to Tyneside, but could it mean Rafa is looking for alternatives or for a replacement for this attacking option?
Rafa Benitez’s continued exclusion of Aleksandar Mitrovic from the Newcastle United starting XI remains a rare bone of contention among otherwise satisfied Magpies. Indeed, the Serbian’s frightening commitment and palpable love for the club ensures his fan favourite status has not been destroyed by silly red cards.
Yet, the fact that he has started just the four Championship games all season speaks volumes about Benitez’s tactical approach. As demonstrated by his usage of Peter Crouch at Liverpool, the Spaniard views burly targetmen or gargantuan centre-forwards as an alternative option, a Plan B if you will.
Meanwhile, small, speedy strikers a la Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Perez are his preference due to their ability to run in behind, turn defenders and drift into the channels.
Consequently, Newcastle’s interest in Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson makes perfect sense. He possesses these aforementioned attributes in abundance and, having scored 20 times in 45 appearances in The Cherries promotion winning season, his quality at this level is undisputed.
According to The Sun, Eddie Howe is understandably unwilling to allow his first-choice striker to follow Matt Ritchie to Tyneside though Benitez is likely to have funds to spend and, with Newcastle falling to second in the table, the Spaniard will be more than aware of the need for reinforcements.
However, if The Magpies were able to pull off an admittedly unlikely deal, it’s not Mitrovic who would be under threat. His status as an iron-headed, high-jumping alternative would not be threatened by Wilson’s arrival.
Instead, the divisive Ayoze Perez may find that his position is suddenly a lot less certain. The Spaniard has struggled with the physicality of the English second tier and has not played 90 minutes since the dismal home defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
Furthermore, a tally of three goals in 17 Championship appearances hardly papers over the cracks. It could just be that Benitez is looking to increase his attacking options at the club, with Daryl Murphy experiencing injury problems since arriving from Ipswich. However, Rafa has shown a ruthless side in the market in the past and, unless improvements are apparent in the coming weeks, Perez could be the latest victim of Newcastle’s Rafalution.
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