The French signing from Lille is in outstanding form- and is proving to be one of the bargains of the season.
When Manchester United were demolished at St James Park in early January, two players led the way.
By time Phil Jones careered in a farcical own goal, Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye and already set the Toon on their way to victory with stunning goals.
It was Ba’s 15th goal of the season, and by that time critics were already lining up to laud him as the signing of the season, and rightly so.
Since his sojourn to the African Nations Cup, an entirely unsuccessful tournament for his native Senegal, he has scored just one goal since, trumped by the scintillating form of new signing and compatriot Papiss Cisse.
Now Cisse’s superb 11 would rightly see him lauded as a signing of the season candidate, but like Ba, his outstanding form has just come over half a season.
One new signing who is showing himself capable of sustaining his excellent level of football over the whole season, is Yohan Cabaye.
Cabaye was signed by Newcastle for £5 million, a bargain in today’s market, and he has proved more than value for money in his debut season alone.
The raw stats show he has scored four goals this season provided eight assists- two goals and one assist coming in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Stoke.
In truth, Cabaye is so much more than that. He is the man who makes Newcastle’s attack tick, the set-piece taker, and a proven match-winner.
Cheik Tiote, Newcastle’s defensive-minded pitbull of a midfielder provides the perfect foil for Cabaye to orchestrate attacks, and play with freedom, and you would struggle to find a more effective two man tandem in the Premier League this season.
When Mike Ashley sanctioned the sale of Kevin Nolan to Sam Allardyce’s West Ham- supporters were unsure, but the man who took over his number four shirt has proved a real step up.
Has he been the signing of the season?
Sergio Aguero at Manchester City – of 21 goals – could dispute that, but at £37.5 million compared to the £5 million Cabaye, it is a comparison too skewed to make.
Aguero’s impact has been undeniable, but there is no surprise or achievement for Roberto Mancini and Sheikh Mansour in plucking an already established superstar and spending crazy money on him.
A standout transfer success should be one that any club – including those richer than anyone else- can afford, yet only the shrewdest judges make.
That is where Newcastle have excelled, and that is why they currently sit in fourth place, and have every chance of finishing there.
Do you agree Cabaye is the signing of the season, or do Ba or Aguero or anyone else get your vote?
image: © mickyb59
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