OPINION
Things haven’t exactly gone to plan for Antonio Barreca at Newcastle United.
The Italian has yet to make a start for the Toon Army, despite their well-documented shortages in the left full-back position, seeing himself fall behind both Paul Dummett and the newly re-purposed Matt Ritchie in the pecking order at St. James’ Park.
His loan spell from Monaco is set to end in the summer, and while it was always going to be difficult for him to secure a permanent move to Tyneside, his chances now look almost non-existent.
Not only has his inability to impress Rafa Benitez seemingly sealed his exit, but the TEAMtalk’s suggestion that the Magpies are keen on bringing in West Brom left back Kieran Gibbs would suggest that somebody will be forced out of the club, and surely it has to be the loan signing without a start to his name.
The 24-year-old could even go down as one of the most pointless signings of the Mike Ashley era, and that is saying something.
Provided everybody remains injury free, it’s hard to see how and where he would get a start before his temporary deal is up, and with very passing week it look more and more as if he was a desperate addition brought in in a panic to simply bulk out the squad during a fraught January transfer window.
Barreca’s number is up on Tyneside, and the sad reality is that he will probably not be missed by fans in the slightest.
