The Frechman wants to stay in the Premier League – but could Newcastle United pick him up on a free?
Rafael Benitez has made clear his admiration for Paul Dummett this season but its all well and good the Welshman performing impressively in the Championship. Throughout last season’s relegation campaign, Dummett’s stock continued to fall amongst Magpies supporters to the point where he had entered scapegoat territory.
Therefore, Benitez must reinforce his squad to ensure that the same players who struggled so badly under Steve McClaren are not brutally exposed once again. It makes perfect sense, then, to offer Gael Clichy a Premier League lifeline with the Frenchman desperate to stay in England, The Mirror reports.
The 31-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and, with no extension in the pipeline, has attracted interest from a number of clubs in Italy and his native France.
However, The Mirror report that Clichy does not want to uproot his young family and believes he can still produce the goods in England. He’d certainly fit in at Newcastle where, beyond the divisive Dummett, there is a lack of options at left-back.
The versatile Jesus Gamez has endured a string of injuries this season while fellow summer signing Achraf Lazaar (below) has barely featured under Rafael Benitez.
Furthermore, with fans concerned about the current crop’s ability to survive upon their return to the top flight, especially as most of their star players have previously been employed by struggling Premier League clubs, the addition of a three-time league champion could make a world of difference on and off the pitch.
He’s 31 however and, with owner Mike Ashley reluctant to purchase players without resale value, there’s no guarantee that Clichy will make the move North in the summer.
However, if Ashley wants to ensure Newcastle avoid the mistakes of 2015/16, he must realise that the club needs experience and proven Premier League quality.
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