Matt Targett made his Newcastle United return after two months on the sidelines during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City. But, even before suffering that season-stalling heel injury, the £15 million summer signing from Aston Villa was finding minutes hard to come by under Eddie Howe.
Targett’s most recent league start came against Bournemouth all the way back in September. Since then, the former Southampton left-back has been restricted to the odd cameo appearance. Three minutes against Man City. Three more against Chelsea. Six against Brentford. Seven versus Fulham.
Howe, speaking to the Northern Echo, insists that he is delighted to have Targett back in contention. But with Dan Burn now firmly established as Newcastle’s first-pick – and with reports suggesting that another left-back is high on The Magpies’ summer wishlist – is Targett already fighting for his future at St James Park?
“We’ve definitely missed Matt. First and foremost, he’s a great player. A great character,” Howe smiles.
“He’s a very, very consistent trainer and someone who goes about his business in a very professional way. He’s got very different attributes to Dan and, in his own right, is an outstanding player. Having him back is a great boost for us.”
Matt Targett faces uncertain Newcastle United future
Targett is certainly more of a natural fit on the left-hand side than the versatile-if-technically-limited Burn. He was one of the Premier League’s most impressive left full-backs during the 2020/21 season; striking up an excellent understanding with Jack Grealish at Aston Villa.
But many of the attributes that alerted Newcastle’s eye while courting Targett – that V8 engine, that boundless energy and those wicked crosses – can also be seen in a number of players reportedly entering the club’s sighs as the summer window draws near.
Take Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco, for instance (Inter Live). Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo is another (AS). Ditto Borna Sosa of Stuttgart and £25 million-rated Arsenal benchwarmer Kieran Tierney, who looks better suited to Howe’s system than Mikel Arteta’s. Newcastle reportedly wanted Fran Garcia too before Real Madrid agreed a deal for the Real Valladolid youngster.
There is no room for sentiment in football and, if Newcastle are to maintain their current rate of progress under Howe, then some difficult decisions made need to be made regarding the future of some of their current crop.
Targett may have done little to warrant being replaced. But, on the other hand, has he done enough to suggest he can form part of a side with Champions League and silverware ambitions?
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