Former Newcastle striker Mick Quinn believes that the Magpies can beat Chelsea on Sunday if they bring in Christian Atsu and Salomon Rondon to the starting line up.
Rafa Benitez and his squad are still searching for their first win of the season after a loss to Tottenham and a draw against Cardiff last time out.
Quinn believes that Chelsea are vulnerable at the back and says Newcastle can trouble them if Benitez makes the right changes to his starting XI, including the rarely-seen speed demon Atsu, who has made just one substitute appearance since mid-April.
In a column for the Chronicle, he said: “The Blues are susceptible defensively. Arsenal could have scored four or five against them at the weekend, and an early goal for Newcastle would put Chelsea on the back foot. I am still confident Newcastle can get all three points. But they’ll have to do so without Kenedy, who is ineligible to play against his parent club.
“Rafa needs to make a decision as to who he brings into the side instead – and I’d opt for Christian Atsu. I thought Atsu was unlucky to lose his place during the second half of last season, and I like his direct running. His end product is sometimes lacking, but I think he’ll have a point to prove against his former club.
“Salomon Rondon must start too. Joselu works hard, but he doesn’t offer enough of a threat. Put simply, Rondon is just a better player than Joselu. The on-loan striker is better at holding up the ball, more dangerous in the air, and is more likely to score.
“With those two changes to the side – as well as DeAndre Yedlin coming back in at right-back – and with a more offensive approach than at the weekend, I think Newcastle can trouble Chelsea just like they did to Spurs during the second half during the first game of the season.”
OPINION
For Newcastle to be facing Chelsea after such a tough start to the season is not ideal, but Quinn is right in saying that the Magpies can really get at the Blues going forward. Maurizio Sarri’s men were cruising against Arsenal at the weekend before two quick goals rocked them just before half-time. The Blues defence seemed to go to sleep for ten minutes or so after the first goal, and those vulnerabilities can be exploited again by the right Newcastle side. The key for Benitez will be the introduction of Rondon into the starting XI. The Venezuelan will be raring to go after being limited to two substitute appearances so far, and is a far superior option to Joselu, despite the Spaniard’s goal against Tottenham on opening day. Rondon’s physicality causes problems for any Premier League defence, and having players like Matt Ritchie and Atsu storming down the wings will hopefully provide him with the service he needs to open his account for the Toon and help them to a positive result against Chelsea.
