The former West Ham and Hull City midfielder has been heavily criticised during his first few months at Newcastle United.
In the summer of 2014, before Mo Diame left West Ham United to join Hull City, he declared his aspirations to play for a ‘top 6’ club. During that same interview, the Senegalese midfielder was critical of the Hammers, saying he had been disappointed by their recruitment and that not all of his teammates necessarily gave 100%.
Two months later, Diame signed for Hull City. West Ham fans were divided. Some had grown sick of his seemingly derogatory remarks about the club, whilst others were disappointed, due to his obvious qualities. Diame made a barnstorming start to life at Hull City, and whilst he most certainly hadn’t joined a top 6 club, he was looking every bit a top 6 player.
He hit 4 goals in his first 5 games and looked a titan in the Tigers midfield, but after just 10 games, he picked up a nasty injury. Steve Bruce tried to reintroduce his key man in April, but that only served to aggravate the injury, and resulted in Diame being sidelined until late August 2015.
Newcastle United’s Mohamed Diame receives a yellow card from Tim Robinson
At Hull City last season, Diame often frustrated his manager and the club’s supporters, but that frustration was only a result of their awareness of Diame’s ability.
A player of his talent shouldn’t really be plying his trade in the Championship during their prime years, and one of the problems may be that Diame is aware of this, but he’s there for a reason, and it’s time for him to prove he is as good as he believes he is.
At 29 years of age, Diame’s chances of playing at the level he believes he is capable of is quickly disappearing, and he’s even now been dropped by Rafa Benitez.
Diame celebrates scoring in the play-off final for Hull City
At his best, Diame is a powerful and technical player, who can wrestle the ball off an opponent, beat players at a whim and both score and create beautiful goals. At his worst, Diame ambles about, appearing disinterested, is often culpable of poor decision making, loses the ball and leaves his teammates exposed.
Newcastle fans have seen far more of the latter than the former during his 11 outings for the Magpies to date. Diame’s sluggishness last season was often put down to his long-term lay-off and the fact he was still regaining fitness and confidence.
He has now been fully fit for 14 months, and there can be no excuses for the former West Ham man. Whilst Steve Bruce could justify the inclusion of even an out-of-form Mo Diame last season, due to his ability to produce something out of nothing, Rafa Benitez cannot.
Rafa Benitez dropped Mo Diame for Newcastle’s game against Ipswich
The Newcastle squad is one blessed with creativity and flair in a number of areas, making Diame far more expendable. The likes of Ritchie, Shelvey, Gouffran and Atsu are all capable of creating and scoring goals from midfield.
Having said that, none are as naturally gifted as the Senegal international, who so-nearly joined Liverpool in the summer of 2012, a move which almost certainly would have gone through had Kenny Dalglish not lost his job.
Given that Diame will be 30 next year, it seems highly unlikely that he will achieve his dream of playing for a top 6 club, but at Newcastle, he should be playing for a Premier League club next season, and one which may have aspirations greater than just survival under Rafa Benitez. For now though, he needs to get his head down and win back a place in the team, as he is currently where he deserves to be; on the bench in the Championship.
Will Mo Diame come good for Newcastle United?
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