Newcastle United’s Christian Atsu should be worried about his first-team prospects, with Benitez allegedly plotting a quality replacement for Matt Ritchie.
Newcastle United are currently receiving huge interest from Stoke City in winger Matt Ritchie and a significant spot in the squad would open up if he was to leave St James’ Park.
This certainly doesn’t make pretty reading for current Newcastle attacker Christian Atsu, who seemingly wouldn’t be the man to step into Ritchie’s shoes.
Atsu dipped in and out of the starting XI last season in the Premier League after turning his loan switch into a permanent one from Chelsea last summer.
The 26-year-old is a skilful wide man with tremendous pace, but his future looks bleak if the club do bring in a high-profile addition to crank up pressure in wide areas.
The Ghana international failed to really make an impact with just two goals and two assists in 29 appearances last season, which is why it’s no surprise he isn’t being lined up to be a direct replacement for Ritchie.
Atsu will be desperate to become a regular in the Premier League side, but that looks unlikely anytime soon and may have to make do with being a squad player on the fringes if Newcastle do press ahead with some top signings this summer.
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