Joselu didn’t do much at Stoke City but could find a home at Newcastle United.
You can see why Newcastle United supporters are more than a little sceptical as Stoke City forward Joselu closes in on a move to St James’ Park.
After all, the 27-year-old hardly set the world alight in The Potteries, scoring just four goals and starting a mere 10 Premier League games in the 2015/16 season after signing from Bundesliga outfit Hannover.
Furthermore, a loan spell at Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga last season was disrupted by injuries, limiting Joselu to just nine starts, although a stunning double against Real Madrid offered a glimpse of his talent.
According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are putting the finishing touches on a £5 million move for the Spanish striker. Though with the newly promoted Magpies crying out for a forward proven in the Premier League, it’s fair to say Stoke’s forgotten man doesn’t exactly fit the bill.
Benitez’s focal point?
Yet, there’s a reason Stoke were so keen to bring Joselu to England in the first place. Just two years ago, The Potters paid £7.5 million to land the former Spain Under-21 international, per the BBC, and, based on his form in the Bundesliga, this appeared very good business.
Joselu netted eight times for Hannover in 2014/15 and scored nine in 18 starts for Eintracht Frankfurt the season prior. Blessed with natural physicality and an impressive leap, Bundesliga defences struggled to deal with Joselu’s old-fashioned centre-forward play.
It’s a style that means he remains a striker perfectly suited to the Premier League. And it’s worth remembering that Joselu largely impressed on the few occasions he was handed an opportunity by Mark Hughes at Stoke.
Newcastle’s 2-0 opening day defeat to Tottenham suggested that Rafael Benitez will adopt direct tactics this season with long diagonal balls aimed towards Dwight Gayle at every opportunity.
Joselu, a taller and stronger centre-forward, could prove a far better focal point than the diminutive Gayle.
Stoke simply seemed like the wrong club for Joselu to express his talents. Newcastle may be a far better environment.
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