OPINION
To say that Antonio Barreca has not had the sort of impact expected at Newcastle United since his arrival on loan from Monaco would be an understatement.
Simply put, the Italian is nowhere to be seen at St James’ Park and it seems as though he is simply making up numbers on Tyneside until the end of the season.
The simple fact of the matter is that he was not playing at the French giants and there would no doubt have been a reason for that – a reason which seems to have followed him over the English Channel and in the north east of England.
Understandably the 24-year-old looks to be a little frustrated – taking to his personal Instagram account to have a sly dig at his lack of game time – but unfortunately for him he has two teammates ahead of him in the pecking order.
Paul Dummett, who has operated as a central defender of late to accommodate Rafael Benitez’s desire to play three at the back, is no doubt the first choice left back and rightly so, the Welsh international the most defensively resolute in the position.
If it is not the born-and-bred Geordie lining up there, it is Matt Ritchie instead, the Scottish star proving his worth as a left wing back, his ability to deliver crosses with both feet making him a real threat from out wide.
Barreca meanwhile is not only out of match practice but out of sync with the rest of the team, having only had a few months to try and bed himself in and adapt to the tactics of the manager.
He was brought in to fill a void, one which ended up being plugged quite impressively by Ritchie, and there is no need for him to be playing – after all, he is only on loan.
He is not the future of Newcastle United and he looks destined to be disappointed for the rest of the season.
