OPINION
It would be a major surprise if Newcastle United didn’t go out and sign a new left back this summer; they’re not deep at the position at all.
Matt Ritchie excelled as an auxiliary left wing back this season, but it’s unclear whether manager Rafael Benitez will continue playing the Scot at the back moving forward. With Antonio Barreca surely set to return to parent club Monaco, that leaves only Paul Dummett on the left hand side of the defence.
That’s an untenable situation, which perhaps explains why Football Insider reported on Thursday that the Magpies are plotting a move to sign Fulham left back Joe Bryan this summer, having targeted the player for some time now.
The Englishman is thought to be one of Benitez’s top targets at the position, and it’s easy to see why. In a season where it was hard for any Cottagers defender to stand out, Bryan emerged as a viable Premier League full back.
The 25-year-old played 28 times in the Premier League this time round and acquitted himself pretty well. He’s a solid defender, and that’s exactly what Newcastle need to compete with Dummett.
He’s not the sort of player who is going to blow anyone’s hair back, but he’s a good, reliable defender who can hold his own in the top flight.
The Magpies must ensure they don’t delay here, because there will surely be other Premier League teams eyeing the Fulham star. He likely won’t cost the world, which is why it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a few teams joining Newcastle in admiring the player.
Benitez must ensure that he brings Bryan to St James’ Park – he would be a breath of fresh air on Tyneside after the Barreca debacle.
