OPINION
Upheaval is usually a bit of a dirty word. It evokes chaos and uncertainty, and tends to unsettle those stood on the brink of it.
There’s an argument, however, that upheaval is exactly what Newcastle fans will be hoping for this summer.
After a decade and a half of toxic ownership in the form of Mike Ashley, the Toon Army need a change.
The Bin Zayed Group have been touted as the most likely saviour for the Magpies, but even then, their bid looks a lot less nailed on than it did when it first broke.
Away from the boardroom, United could also do with a revamp on the field. Rafa Benitez built a really decent squad in the second half of last season, but the Spaniard is carrying a lot of deadwood in his ranks, and that will need seeing to if he his to have any chance of improving on the talents currently at his disposal.
And that could be bad news for Ciaran Clark.
The Irishman has always been solid enough in a black and white shirt but fell right down the pecking order at St. James’ Park last term.
With a plethora of preferred options ahead of him, it’s difficult to see how he could force his way back into Benitez’s plans in the long term, and at 29, time is against him.
Any notion of his potential exit has surely been hastened by the latest comments from Chronicle journalist Chris Waugh.
Writing in a piece for the local outlet, he said: “The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been a consistent performer for Newcastle over the past three seasons, but he is arguably fifth – if not sixth – in line for a starting place at centre-half.
“Should a decent offer be made for Clark this summer, then Newcastle would likely consider selling the defender.”
Waugh’s verdict doesn’t bode well for the 6’2″ ace [Transfermarkt], and the exit door is surely looming.
