The profligate targetman is hardly the inspiration for most budding centre-forwards but Aleksandar Mitrovic needs to find a niche, says Don Hutchinson.
Don Hutchinson has written in the Chronicle that out-of-favour Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic needs to improve his all-round game if he is to force his way into Rafa Benitez’s starting XI.
The 22-year-old has made just one Championship start so far this season with the Spaniard preferring a speedier forward pairing of Ayoze Perez and the in-form Dwight Gayle (below).
However, the Newcastle faithful have clamoured for a return to the first-team for fan favourite Mitrovic in recent weeks, an argument exacerbated after his brace inspired Serbia to a surprise win against Austria in World Cup qualifying at the weekend.
Yet, Gateshead-born Hutchinson says the bruising forward has much to improve before he can cement his place as the focal point of the promotion favourites’ attack.
“What is Mitrovic’s big strength? He’s not a bully yet – I’m not sure defenders are scared of playing against him,” the former Everton and West Ham midfielder wrote in his column for the Chronicle.
“His movement is pretty good but it needs to be worked on. And while I think he’s a threat in the box, I don’t think he’s what I would call a natural goalscorer.
“That is the problem that Rafa Benitez is probably wrestling with at the moment. Mitrovic is enough of a talent to persevere with but where does he fit into his plan for Newcastle?”
Hutchinson suggests that Mitrovic take inspiration from two of English football’s most famously unfashionable centre-forwards, Iain Dowie and Emile Heskey, whose unselfish style of play frequently brought out the best in their more dynamic strike partners.
“Those players [Dowie and Heskey] weren’t the most popular with supporters – unlike Mitrovic, ironically – but they could be a real asset for a team.
“OK, it’s not a perfect comparison because I think he’s got more goals in him but I do think that Mitrovic can be a bit like that on his day. He makes life easier for the player he’s playing with because they are occupied with what he’s going to do.”
Newcastle fans may not take too kindly to the comparison, but Mitrovic could do worse than become the Heskey to Gayle’s Michael Owen.
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