The dangers of the so-called ‘World Cup signing‘ are well-documented.
From to Ilie Dumitrescu to Kleberson, Marcos Rojo to Alberto Tarantini; cautionary tales are hardly in short supply for clubs weighing up the pros and cons of signing a hitherto unknown talent who shot to fame with a couple of eye-catching displays at the so-called ‘festival of football’.
Take Enner Valencia, for instance. West Ham United splashed out £12 million after he scored all of Ecuador’s goals at 2014 World Cup.
Valencia would end his debut season in the Premier League having found the net just once more in 32 top-flight games than he managed across three group-stage matches over in Brazil.
Something for Newcastle to consider, then; Give Me Sport reporter Dean Jones claiming that the Magpies rate Valencia’s Ecuador team-mate Gonzalo Plata ‘highly’, and are therefore likely to keep a keen eye on the silky winger during the next few weeks.
Could Gonzalo Plata thrive where Enner Valencia struggled in the Premier League?
Plata, who joined La Liga outfit Real Valladolid form Sporting Lisbon in an £8.5 million deal, was understandably overshadowed by Valencia, his 33-year-old skipper, during Ecuador’s 2-0 opening day victory over Qatar on Sunday. There was the odd mazy dribble, the occasional burst of pace. But there’s certainly more to come from a forward dubbed ‘exceptional’ by Valladolid coach Pacheta.
Plata turned down Barcelona back in 2019. He was reportedly on Leeds’ radar too, following the departure of former Elland Road talisman Raphinha over the summer. Even if Plata catches the eye during Ecuador’s remaining group-stage fixtures against Senegal and the Netherlands, the chances of Leeds renewing their interest look slim. Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville have made huge strides under Jesse Marsch at Elland Road.
Luis Sinisterra has provided a few tantalising glimpses of talent too. Even during an injury-hit beginning to life in West Yorkshire. And that’s without mentioning Jack Harrison. There is no longer an obvious place for Plata at Leeds. Newcastle, then, may be hoping for a clearer run at at the fleet-footed 22-year-old. Presuming, of course, they plan to firm up their interest in the New Year.
Newcastle’s recruitment department are earning their wages
Now, if there is one word you could use to describe Newcastle’s transfer business since that Saudi Arabian takeover, however, it’s ‘considered’. There’s been no reckless splurges. More a calm, sensible approach to squad-building; even their more expensive acquisitions (Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak) arriving after much deliberation.
If Plata does arrive at St James’ Park, you can guarantee it won’t be just because of his performances over in Qatar. Knee-jerk Newcastle appears to be a thing of the past these days.
Plata, in 10 La Liga matches, has scored no goals and provided just two assists. Even if he does thrive on the biggest of stages, Plata’s club form will need to improve if Newcastle to take a punt. A man who’s surname translates as ‘silver’ needs a few more ‘golden’ moments.
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