Newcastle lack creativity and Mo Diame, while clearly not the answer, is one of the only options they have.
Mohamed Diame was jeered off the pitch when Joselu – hardly himself a popular figure – replaced the midfielder in Newcastle United’s defeat to Everton on Wednesday night.
Diame had been one of four changes to the team, with Jamaal Lascelles chief among them and succeeding in improving the defence – despite the loss.
But where Lascelles’ return was welcomed, Diame’s was not and the criticism of the former Hull City man was not entirely unmerited.
He turned in a pitiful performance in which almost every Newcastle move broke down at the feet of the ex-Senegal international.
It was far from Diame’s best performance – he has proven an able Premier League performer previously – but his status as a key man has been one major issue for Newcastle this term.
After flattering to deceive in the Championship, Diame has only gotten worse in the top flight and the Magpies badly lack creativity.
It is no secret that the number 10 position, behind Dwight Gayle, is a problem area for Rafa Benitez and it is scarcely believable that Diame is in any position to be considered the answer.
Newcastle fans will hope that is the last they see of Diame as an attacking prospect from the start and there must be a focus on bringing in a playmaker in January.
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