The moment Davide Santon was hauled off at half time against Arsenal I knew there would be a cascading bellow from supporters gesturing that he isn’t a left back. In no uncertain terms the Italian full back was tormented by Theo Walcott for the first 45 minutes at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners’ attacker exploited Santon’s poor positional play time after time during the first period and it was no surprise to see the cross for Robin van Persie’s equaliser come from the right wing.
Truthfully Newcastle boss Alan Pardew’s hands were tied when it came to the decision on whether to withdraw the 21-year-old or not. Usually in these situations the player in question is subjected to a torrent of confidence-shattering rebukes from supporters. However, Santon was spared a scolding from the Toon Army at the game and on Twitter where most fans go to let off steam and vent their frustrations nowadays. There is a sense that they understand the mental struggle it places upon a player of his age moving to a new country and getting to grips with the robust nature of the Premier League.
Instead of barracking him there seems to be an appreciation that Santon is adapting to the English game whilst playing out of position. From personal experience I realise the difficulty of operating as a left back whilst being predominately right footed. Playing against a winger on their strongest side always leaves you with a temptation to wade into challenges with your favoured foot, leaving you exposed. Your positioning isn’t as finely tuned and it’s easy to get mixed up when under the cosh. Yes he’s played there before during his Inter Milan days but the game in England is quicker and more intimidating than it is in Serie A.
It was reported last week that Pardew was considering making Santon the club’s new long-term right back next season with Danny Simpson’s contract dispute yet to be settled. The notion of him operating in his natural position evidently got tongues wagging with questions posed over whether the back four would be stronger if the Italian international was to replace the often erratic Simpson.
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From what he’s shown playing on the opposite flank there is a discernible strength to the argument that he’d be more comfortable on the right. From my point of view it would be substantially better for his development as a Premier League full back for him to playing in a role accustomed to the attributes he possesses. We all know he’s superb going forward and his pace can frighten teams once he moves into top gear. However, his influence in the final third has been negated due to constantly having to check back onto his stronger foot before crossing or laying it back to Jonas Gutierrez. There was a moment against Norwich on Sunday where he found himself on the right, bombed down the wing and sent in a teasing low cross without needing to break stride. In that one moment Santon displayed why he should be installed in his natural role. He’s a natural attacking outlet that, if utilised properly, could pose a very real threat when Newcastle are on the front foot.
However, question-marks still remain over the defensive aspect of his game and whether or not he’ll provide a solid presence on the right side of the Newcastle rearguard. There is no questioning his commitment and there have been times this season where he wasn’t daunted when it came to putting his foot in to regain possession or stop a winger encroaching into his area. His discipline to know when it’s right to go forward and stick back is what comes into question, as does his closing down and capacity to deal with a winger one-on-one. As I’ve said above it’s difficult for anyone who’s charged with playing on their weaker side of the field, especially at the back. It’s like trying to force round pegs into square holes. Undoubtedly Santon will be able to function more effectively in his favoured position as it will allow him to calculate challenges, sharpen his positioning and dictate where he wants a winger to take the ball before taking it off them.
What he’s shown already is that he’s a player who has great potential and could become one of the best full backs to wear a black and white shirt. As a person Santon has displayed a humility and appreciation for the support he’s received from the stands. At the end of every home game he takes it upon himself to applaud the people sitting in St James’ Park. As a footballer he is still a rough diamond that needs to be polished. The current campaign was his audition and to reach 25 games will be a milestone considering he didn’t make his full debut until December. However, his development needs to continue at right back if he is to fulfil the promise many identified during his time in Serie A. Lest we forget it took a season in the Championship before Jose Enrique fully acclimatised to the English game. For my money the current number three is already leaps and bounds ahead of his predecessor.
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I must say that as a defender I have had several players around me suffer from similar frailties. It had nothing to do with their unfamiliarity of their own position but more confusion at how to deal with the system that the opposition are playing. Now if we look at Santon, he has come from Italian football. We look at some of the games where Santon has struggled a bit, namely the Arsenal game. How often do Italian teams play with a system like Arsenal’s? Even Napoli who often play with a three pronged forward line do not use the same running lines as most English teams – they are direct, they use forward/backward lines. Santon isn’t used to this and it will take him time and mistakes to learn. We have to allow him that. Enrique had similar issues to adapt to although his was more back post positioning. If you watch Santon carefully Vs Arsenal, he sees his man move inside, and when he moves into a CM’s defensive zone, he moves forward to take the next man. After this if the forward moves in behind, any full back would expect the CM to track the forward.
If there is fault, it is due to the planning before and the communication during the fact. He will learn, the defensive unit will learn – they had better if they are going to deal with high quality premiership sides who use a form of Total Football. The mobility is there, the discipline needs to be too.
that 45 against arsenal aside, i think he’s been fantastic considering it’s his first season in english football, which is obviously massively different to serie-a.
he shows confidence on the ball and other players don’t mind giving him the ball either. unlike maybe simpson and williamson who seem unsure what to do with it sometimes. hope to see him at right back sooner or later, just to see the difference he could make there.
His confidence on the ball is brilliant, sure up a bit at the back and he should be ok.
i think santon has been ok this season and nothing better,hope we will get to see him play on the right side soon.where we will see the best of him
Just remember Enrique was pretty awful when he first arrive. To be honest I think Santin has been better this season than Enrique was his first couple! Even the masterful Colo took a while to settle 🙂 !
I think if we can get a top LB in the Santon may do a top job at RB. It’s good having a player that can play both comfortably.
Only thing would be Ben Arfa playing in front I him, could be great partnership or too attacking without the workrate of Jonas in front of him.
At this time Santon and Ben Arfa would be far too attacking, but alongside Jonas it’s working fairly well
Agree with your sentiments over a Santon & Ben Arfa partnership. Could leave us exposed if both are galavanting forward. However if Santon brushes up on his defensive qualities and becomes disciplined then it could be extremely effective.
He’s certainly got the potential to be an excellent full back.
Santon will be excellent for us. He needs time as all foreign players often do. If we sign a LB I would love to see Santon moved over to the right. It’s a mouthwatering prospect having him and HBA in the same flank and Marveaux attacking in the other and possibly Gutierrez LB? We definitely need another defender but our team is getting stronger with every match and it’s exciting.
Totally agree on pretty much all points. I think he is still getting used to the Premier League and I think he definitely would be better suited to playing at right back and us buying a natural left back. I think one other thing people often forget is that he only actually played 40 odd games for Inter so he is pretty inexperienced in general not just in terms of the Premier League.