OPINION
Newcastle United need some inspiration in the second half of the season, and nowhere in the team is that more evident than up front.
Salomon Rondon has been ploughing a lonely furrow in the Magpies attack this campaign, and it’s clear that manager Rafael Benitez needs to get some support in for the overworked Venezuelan.
Former Newcastle loan striker Giuseppe Rossi could be just the man. The 31-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Italian side Genoa, and has been training with former team Manchester United in order to keep his fitness up [Sky Sports].
If any team could do with taking a gamble on the Italy international, it’s Newcastle. Benitez needs a quicker, more mobile frontman to support Rondon and profit off of all the good hold up play he produces.
Rossi is certainly capable of doing that. Throughout his career when he’s been fit, which is a mighty caveat, mind, he’s been productive. His goalscoring record with Villarreal and Fiorentina was excellent, and he’s been unlucky with the way his career’s gone in recent years.
If the Magpies can get him in on a heavily performance-incentivised deal then he could be perfect for him. He’s always been a quick, intelligent frontman with an eye for goal – exactly what Newcastle need. Plus, as a free agent, he wouldn’t cost the club a thing, which suits tight-fisted owner Mike Ashley.
If he can stay fit, he is surely a decent alternative to Ayoze Perez in the second striker role. The Spaniard has never come close to being as prolific as Rossi in his career and has been pretty poor this term.
Bringing Rossi in would be a gamble, it’s true, but if Benitez can keep him fit and get him back to top form then the Magpies might be able to catch lightning in a bottle. It’s surely worth a try, isn’t it?
