Hull City midfielder Sam Clucas is a very similar player to Newcastle United counterpart Jack Colback – almost suspiciously similar.
Newcastle’s Jack Colback
It’s fair to say there won’t be too many Newcastle United fans with ‘4 Colback’ adorning their replica shirts next season.
Though a boyhood Magpies fanatic, the midfielder is far from a crowd favourite at St James’ Park. Made a scapegoat by some supporters, the 27-year-old has almost become a symbol of the club’s decline and the apparent acceptance of mediocrity during the reign of owner Mike Ashley.
And it appears that manager Rafael Benitez, while admiring Colback’s work rate, agrees that the club could do better. The former Sunderland midfielder started only 24 Championship games in 2016/17, after all.
Jack Colback faces an uncertain future at Newcastle
It’s hard to believe he was called up to the England squad less than three years ago – and deservedly so too.
Colback 2.0
Because the The Guardian reported recently that versatile Hull City favourite Sam Clucas has been scouted by Newcastle ahead of their return to the Premier League after one season away. And this does not bode well for Colback’s future on Tyneside.
Sam Clucas was arguably Hull’s Player of the Season despite their relegation
After all, Clucas is essentially Colback 2.0. A diminutive yet tenacious midfielder, the fact that the 26-year-old was playing League Two football as recently as 2014/15 is a testament to the former Chesterfield Town star’s aptitude and work rate. These days, he’s rated at £10 million, according to The Sun.
And he performs almost an identical role to Colback in Hull’s midfield, tasked with breaking up play and distributing the ball safely. Furthermore, Clucas has also filled in at left-back when required this season – as the left-footed Colback has been known to do at both Sunderland and Newcastle.
Yet, Clucas is more technically gifted than his Newcastle counterpart, winning Hull’s Goal of the Season award for that sublime dipping volley against Watford.
It appears that Colback is being upgraded.
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