Does Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu deserve a lifeline?
Newcastle United have just one point from their opening four Premier League games despite a tricky fixture list and they need rapid improvements after the international break.
It will be interesting to see if manager Rafael Benitez decides to makes changes to his side, with a number of fringe players waiting in reserve.
One man that has only picked up only 57 minutes so far this season in the Premier League is Christian Atsu, who has been unable to make the desired impact as a substitute.
He should be shouting for more opportunities given his side’s poor form, but hardly has a compelling case in his favour.
The 26-year-old wide man was given a start this campaign in the EFL Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest and he blew his chance to impress with a sloppy display, where he failed to get into the game or threaten his full-back.
Atsu was important in the Championship for Newcastle when they won promotion back in the 2016/17 season, but has been on the decline ever since.
The Ghanian winger was directly involved in just four goals in 29 appearances last season and has struggled to make the step up to the top flight in general.
Atsu is hardly putting the pressure on to break into the Newcastle XI when he features, which is why for now he will have to be patient at St James’ Park and try impress in training.
Benitez will surely favour the pair of Matt Ritchie and Kenedy in the meantime out wide, with Atsu’s form deserting him and Jacob Murphy hardly pushing for a start either.
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