What does next season hold for Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux?
If the pretenders on Newcastle United’s wings needed inspiration, they should look no further than Hatem Ben Arfa.
Ben Arfa’s debut season was dramatically cut short by a broken leg, and at the start of 2011/12 he had it all to do to rebuild.
By the end, he was instrumental in Newcastle’s form, delivering two goal of the season contenders and even being linked with a £25 million move to Chelsea.
It’s fair to say he has made an impact, and that is exactly what his French compatriots will be hoping to do next season.
Gabriel Obertan and Sylvain Marveaux were both signed last summer, and neither hit the heights they would have liked, in fact Marveaux barely got a game.
This season coming up is big. Marveaux simply needs to get back and play, while Obertan needs to improve.
He made 18 starts for Newcastle in the league, scoring one goal and making three assists, prolific by Stewart Downing’s standards, but those who watched the Frenchman would vouch for his inconsistency.
The winger needs to have a stand out campaign, because while Newcastle can be more patient with Marveaux due to his fitness worries, Obertan is entering his fourth season in the Premier League.
The two at Manchester United saw him barely afforded a chance, and he will have been disappointed not to seize the few he did get. After a steady if unspectacular debut season at Newcastle, he needs to move forward rather than go backwards.
With Alan Pardew set to rotate his side as they push on in the Europa League and the Premier League, Obertan will get his opportunities.
Hatem Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez will surely be first choice in the wide berths, but Obertan will be handed regular chances to impress.
The same goes for Sylvain Marveaux should he be able to stay fit, and he has been with the squad featuring on pre-season. Alan Pardew has said the pair of Marveaux and Obertan refreshed and ready to go in their second season is like having new signings.
If neither push on as liked it will cause fans to worry, and wonder whether they have futures at the club, but they should feel positive that they can add something new to the side next season and help the club achieve their goals.
How do you think the pair will perform next season? Do you have high hopes?
image: © mikebrown59
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
