OPINION
Not everything has been plain sailing for Newcastle United this season, and that is no different in regards to summer signing Ki Sung-Yueng.
The 29-year-old enforcer started the first couple of Premier League games, but since then, he has been ousted by Rafa Benitez on numerous occasions.
He was dropped for the Magpies’ last few matches, and has fallen down the pecking order to the likes of Isaac Hayden and Academy graduate Sean Longstaff.
Things could not be going worse for the South Korea international, and the fact that he is not likely to get a look-in with the first-team due Benitez’ preferred pairing of Mo Diame and Jonjo Shelvey is just the icing on the cake.
This is why signing Ki has proved to be a pointless signing for Newcastle, as he has not contributed anything positive to the team.
This has only been reinforced by the fact that Benitez has concerns about the mobility of Ki, as reported by Newcastle Chronicle journalist Chris Waugh in a Q&A (1.54pm).
Unless he improves this area of this game, it looks like he will be frozen out of the team for quite a while.
It is surprising that he has not thrived since leaving Swansea for United, as he is an incredibly experienced player – but sometimes, things just do not work out.
Newcastle can rest easy knowing that they only signed Ki on a free transfer, meaning that they have not wasted any money.
Nevertheless, he has been hopeless in the few starts he has made, and the fact that he is not likely to start any time soon should be the final nail in the coffin.
Yes, some will say that it is too early in the season to judge a player, but Ki has proved that he is not up to the task of playing for Newcastle.
His signing has rendered pointless, and it will be a miracle if we see him in a black and white shirt anytime soon.
