OPINION
One of the main issues that has plagued Newcastle United in their winless start to the season has been a lack of creativity in midfield.
Jonjo Shelvey’s injury problems have meant that Mohamed Diame and Ki Sung-yeung have been employed as the first choice central midfield duo at St James’ Park.
While both decent players, neither man possesses the game-changing technical ability of the former Swansea City and Liverpool star. Shelvey is a terrific passer of the football, and the Magpies have missed that through five Premier Leagues games thus far.
While Shelvey was on the bench in the defeat against Arsenal on Saturday, suggesting that his return to the fray is imminent, Rafael Benitez can ensure that this problem doesn’t arise again by making a January move for Sheffield Wednesday’s Barry Bannan.
The 5’5″ Scotland international [Source: Transfermarkt] is a very similar player to Shelvey, capable of controlling games with his technical ability and supreme vision.
He has been a key player for Wednesday for some time now, and has shown that he is worthy of another crack at the Premier League after failing to impress with Aston Villa earlier in his career.
Newcastle don’t want to be in another situation where Shelvey is unavailable and the team is therefore devoid of any creativity whatsoever.
Signing Bannan would ensure that that does not happen, while providing the Magpies with another top class midfielder who can play alongside Shelvey when required, as well.
At 28 years of age Bannan has hit his prime, which is demonstrated by his consistently high level performances for Jos Luhukay’s side over recent seasons.
He’s already registered two goals and two assists in all competitions this campaign, including rescuing a point for the hosts with a free kick against Stoke City at Hillsborough on Saturday.
The former Villa man isn’t a replacement for Shelvey, but rather a complementary piece alongside the Englishman. He can take some of the creative load off Shelvey’s back and ease the burden that the former Liverpool man carries on a weekly basis at St James’ Park.
The Championship is full of talented players who are waiting to make the step up to the top flight and Bannan is chief among them. Newcastle should seriously consider making a move for him once the new year rolls around.
