OPINION
Newcastle United need to strengthen in several areas this summer if they want to challenge in the top-half of the Premier League next season.
A massive issue for the Magpies this season has been scoring goals, with Rafa Benitez’s men netting just 36 goals in their 37 games so far.
The club’s strike force has been misfiring all campaign, and they have relied upon contributions from further back to get them across the line this season.
That needs to change this summer, and the Magpies need to assemble an attacking line capable of creating chances and putting those opportunities away.
On the creation side of things, a golden opportunity may yet present itself this summer, and the Magpies must move fast to take full advantage.
As reported by The Sun, Chelsea are set to order teenager Mason Mount to pre-season training this summer following a massively successful loan spell at Vitesse Arnhem.
The newspaper claim that the Blues are weighing up whether to send the playmaker out on loan again or promote him to the first-team squad this summer, with several Premier League clubs expressing interest in the 19-year-old.
If Chelsea do decide a loan exit is more appropriate for next season, then Newcastle must be one of those top-flight clubs to move for the in-demand attacking midfielder.
Mount has scored 11 goals and laid on ten assists in 38 appearances in all competitions for Vitesse this season, and netted his first senior hat-trick last weekend in a 5-2 play-off win over ADO Den Haag.
His form has seen him named as the club’s player of the season despite the fact he missed the start of the campaign while on international duty with England.
He looks ready as ever for a step up in competition, and a move to Newcastle would be perfect for both parties.
Newcastle would be receiving one of the country’s most-promising young players who would immediately improve a problem position, while Mount would be handed a bigger stage to develop and prove himself.
It is a no-brainer, and one that Newcastle should act upon in the coming weeks.
