Stan Collymore believes Newcastle need to make three key signings this summer.
Stan Collymore
Pundit Stan Collymore has told The Mirror that he thinks Newcastle should be moving to sign John Terry, Cesc Fabregas and Jermain Defoe this summer.
The Magpies clinched promotion to the Premier League last month, and managed to overhaul Brighton and Hove Albion on the final day of the season to become Championship title winners.
A 3-0 win over Barnsley and Brighton’s 1-1 draw at Aston Villa was enough to hand Newcastle top spot, sparking wild celebrations at St. James’ Park on Sunday afternoon.
Now, Newcastle will be focusing on securing the future of manager Rafael Benitez, with the Spaniard no doubt looking for potential signings ahead of the summer transfer window.
Benitez may have some players in mind, but pundit Stan Collymore has offered his view on who Newcastle should sign, telling The Mirror that they should target John Terry, Cesc Fabregas and Jermain Defoe – three players 30 or over.
John Terry celebrates with Cesc Fabregas after scoring for Chelsea
Centre back Terry is leaving Chelsea this summer after almost 20 years with the club, and the 36-year-old is bound to have a number of offers. However, whilst Collymore believes that he would be a good signing for Newcastle, defender Terry fired a shot at Benitez in 2015 over claims he couldn’t play twice in a week, and if Benitez felt that a number of years ago, he surely won’t have changed his mind now.
Midfielder Fabregas – who won the Premier League title alongside Terry at Chelsea in 2015 – has been a bit-part player this term with only 11 league starts to his name, but has still managed to rack up 11 assists to his name. The Spaniard may look to leave this summer, and Collymore believes he is what Newcastle need – but the money involved could be prohibitive.
Finally, attacker Defoe can leave Sunderland for free this summer after their relegation to the Championship, and having scored 15 Premier League goals this term, he should attract interest. A proven goalscorer wouldn’t go amiss at St. James’ Park, but whether he would join Sunderland’s bitter rivals remains to be seen.
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe gestures
“[Mike] Ashley must trust his manager, let him use his contacts and profile in the game — and there are three players in particular I’d love to see Benitez go for,” said Collymore. “They are Cesc Fabregas , John Terry and Jermain Defoe , who would all do a sensational job at St James’ Park. Fabregas, in particular, is the sort of player the Toon Army would adore. He’d be the perfect signing for Benitez.”
“Rafa needs a quality No.10 to play behind Dwight Gayle and another new striker, and if I were Benitez I’d be saying, ‘Come and play up here, like Kevin Keegan did all those years ago. Be a big hero for 52,000 home fans, weave your magic and they will sing your name.’ The Spanish midfielder would love the area, the supporters would love him and he could be a proper leadership figure at a football club for once in his life.”
“Then there is Terry. If Benitez is feeling really bold, he should try for the former England captain. The pair had their issues when they were together at Stamford Bridge a few years ago, but football people have short memories when it suits them and this would be a great move for both men. Whether or not Benitez could convince Defoe to move down the road from bitter rivals Sunderland remains to be seen, but alongside Gayle he could do very well,” he added.
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