OPINION
Newcastle United would be foolish to pursue Stoke City defender Erik Pieters once the January window opens as they can surely find a more long term solution to their problem at left-back.
According to the Chronicle the Magpies are stepping up their hunt for a new first-team ready full-back after first-choice option Paul Dummett suffered an injury during the recent international break.
The newspaper shared that summer target Pieters is open to joining the Magpies if the club choose to try to get him again but that Rafa Benitez would face a battle convincing the board to splash the cash on the defender due to him being 30-years-old.
The Stoke Sentinel claimed in August that the Magpies were believed to have made a cheeky offer near the value of £2million in order to get the Stoke defender only for the Championship club to knock them back.
The regional newspaper went on to reveal that the Magpies’ failed low offer frustrated Benitez, but the Premier League side shouldn’t have been pursuing the 30-year-old anyway.
While it’s true the Magpies were desperate for a new left-back in the summer, and still are, the club can do better than recruit Pieters.
The left-back has plenty of experience having played 169 times in the Premier League and is doing okay in the Championship this season after making 15 league appearances, but the club should go for a more long-term solution.
Dummett has proven himself to be reliable at the back but the Magpies need a player who can not only provide back-up but can keep the Welshman on his toes regarding his first-team status.
The 6ft tall Pieters (Source: Transfermarkt) simply doesn’t fit that bill and it’s hard to see him being able to overthrow Dummett from his place as a guaranteed starter.
The Northern Echo previously reported that Magpies owner Mike Ashley is opposed to recruiting players pushing 30, let alone being 30, so he won’t be keen on Pieters.
While normally it makes sense for Benitez just to be handed any player he thinks will fit his team, on this occasion Ashley must block any attempt by the Spaniard to make a case for why the club should welcome the Potters full-back.
However in doing so, he should provide the funds for Benitez to welcome a better quality left-back to help his cause.
