OPINION
Newcastle United need to add clinical goalscorers to their squad ahead of next season and there are a few more lethal than Jack Marriott.
The Peterborough United centre-forward scored 33 goals in 56 appearances across all competitions in the recently concluded 2017/18 season, and was bordering on unstoppable.
Marriott scored goals with his head, right foot, left foot and any other method he possibly could to ensure his side were fired up the league.
This lethal finishing ability may have been mainly demonstrated in League One, but given the fact he is only 23-year-old and rapidly improving with every game, it’s not ridiculous to believe that he will be able to light up the Premier League.
While Marriott may not have the blistering pace, he has enough in his locker to get the job done in England’s top-flight and he always finds a way to get through on goal using his football intelligence.
On paper, the 23-year-old forward ticks all of the Magpies boxes when it comes to what they will be looking for in an attacker this summer, bar one.
Marriott has no top-flight experience to his name, which can often be a red flag as proven goalscorers are always the safest route to take.
In fact the prolific forward has only ever featured twice in the Championship during his career, and there may be some that believe his signing would be a risk.
However when you consider all the signs he has shown in his latest campaign and that you can only score against what is put in front of you, Marriott can easily learn on the job in the Premier League.
Especially with a helpful manager like Rafa Benitez, who has the ability to unlock a player’s full potential which turns stars into superstars they weren’t previously seen as.
The Sun claimed on Thursday that Peterborough would only demand £6.5million for his services, with the price only perhaps getting driven up due to how many teams will pursue him, and at that price he is a steal.
There’s a premium rate on players with top-flight experience, unjustly in a lot of cases, so if the Magpies took this small risk on signing someone who didn’t tick that box, they could be laughing come the end of next season.
Marriott’s presence would clearly see Benitez’s score more than the 39 goals they managed in the recently concluded season, and he will be determined to snatch a golden opportunity to jump up the leagues.
Therefore while he may not be the high-profile signing supporters dream of, the 33-goal forward must be scooped up for just £6.5million as it’s a bargain price, worth taking a chance on.
