OPINION
With reports that Brighton are interested in poaching England’s technical director Dan Ashworth, Newcastle must make him their new transfer guru.
As reported by the Mirror, Brighton are interested in bringing Ashworth back to domestic football after a successful spell with the England national team at all age groups.
The report reveals that Chris Hughton’s side are keen to appoint him in a similar role in club football this summer, but that Ashworth could sign a new deal to stay with the FA.
The former West Brom director of football is exactly what Newcastle need to get their transfer business, and club as a whole, back on track.
Ashworth built a reputation at The Hawthorns for revolutionising their youth system and being a unique judge of talent, he was able to sign players who would improve the first-team squad for next to nothing and his role at the club oversaw a period of Baggies success, both in the transfer market and on the pitch.
While he was the transfer guru from 2007-2012, here are just some of his best signings. Graham Dorrans was signed from the Scottish second division for a reported £270,000, Youssouf Mulumbu joined from PSG’s reserves for a similar figure, Borja Valero signed from Mallorca and Chris Wood signed from an obscure New Zealand outfit.
And it doesn’t stop there, Jonas Olsson joined from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen for a fee reportedly less than a million, Peter Odemwingie joined from Locomotiv Moscow, Craig Dawson arrived from Rochdale whilst Gareth McAuley and Claudio Yacob both arrived on free transfers.
All these players went on to have great careers at Albion or elsewhere, having cost little to no money whatsoever. The FA technical director is a perfect example of the effect of a great scouting network – he has people everywhere in order to dig out bargains.
Newcastle have struggled along with Lee Charnley for too long. If Mike Ashley sells the club, those two leave and Dan Ashworth comes in, they would become a completely different club, for the better.
