The Tyneside-born ball-winner starred against Chelsea in December 2014, putting him in the frame for international recognition.
Two years ago, Jack Colback put himself forward to be crowned the most astute signing of the Premier League season. As Chelsea travelled to St James Park on the back of a 23 game unbeaten run that had reared optimistic talk of ‘The Invincibles Mach Two’, their star-studded midfield of Oscar, Willian and a career-best Cesc Fabregas were overriding favourites to slice through Alan Pardew’s Newcastle.
Yet, despite Papiss Cisse’s matchwinning brace, an astounding display from rookie shot-stopper Jak Alnwick, one man stood amongst the blue-shirted wreckage. Colback, plucked from hated rivals Sunderland on a free transfer just a few months previously, scrapped and harried in the defensive half while creating and distributing in the other. He covered every blade of grass, maybe even twice, three times, while refusing to allow World Cup winner and European Champion Fabregas a meaningful sniff.
It was Colback’s driving run and perfectly timed through ball which created the opening for Cisse’s second, sparking jubliation on Tyneside as Jose Mourinho was once again left deflated at St James’.
Such a performance appeared to herald Colback as English football’s next Scott Parker-type figure, a pillar of commitment and underrated technical class. Those who had mocked his first international call-up just a few months prior now were laughing no more. He was, in the words of England manager Roy Hodgson, the ‘Ginger Pirlo’.
Yet, in the end, a cruel calf injury robbed Colback of the chance to earn a debut cap. And, two years on, it looks like he may never get that opportunity again while that light-hearted nickname is now purely used for ironic purposes.
The 27-year-old has started just eight Championship games under Rafael Benitez this season after failing to replicate his excellent early displays in black and white once Alan Pardew had left for Crystal Palace in early 2015.
Now, the man once adored for his commitment and passion is frequently pilloried for safe, sterile sidewards passing and an apparent inability to inflict any sort of impact on a game. It’s a far cry from the Colback of 2014. Pirlo can sleep easy.
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