OPINION
Newcastle United midfielder Mohamed Diame has made a career out of patches of brilliance and the club need to be prepared for a decline next season.
The Senegal international started the 2017/18 campaign in shocking form for the Magpies and was not a regular starter in Rafael Benitez’s starting XI during the early months.
However, he went from zero to hero by the end of the campaign to play a colossal role in the club’s top-flight survival.
Diame formed a brilliant understanding alongside Jonjo Shelvey in the heart of midfield and he showed excellent desire to keep Premier League football at St James’ Park next year.
The midfield destroyer had a stunning work-rate and became very difficult to stop in one-on-one positions, with Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante even finding that out on the final day of the season.
Statistics website Spotrac claims that Diane has a £45,000-a-week contract with West Ham and his current deal with them expires in 2019.
There is no doubt he’s been playing like a £45,000-a-week star recently, but it seems inevitable that his form will drop off next year.
He has been an inconsistent player throughout his time in England, someone who goes from dominating matches to practically invisible in the space of weeks.
Benitez can go into next season with Diame set to play a key role in his starting XI, but there is no way he can not afford to have a suitable back-up option for when he drops off.
Newcastle need to ensure they find a similar combative enforcer that can help protect the back four and the fresh competition should keep Diame at the top of his game, something which is a delight for all Newcastle fans to see when it happens.
