beIN SPORTS presenter Richard Keys has claimed that Newcastle United missed a trick not bringing in new Southampton signing Che Adams.
Football League World reported in June that the Magpies were interested in the former Birmingham City star, and Keys feels that the 23-year-old would have been ideal for the north east giants.
“Third [signing of the summer] is Che Adams,” he wrote on his website. “Southampton have got a steal. If this kid progresses as he should he’ll be a superstar. I watched a lot of him last season and boy – can he finish. He’s a handful. He gets all types of goals.
“I can’t believe that more didn’t go in. He’s just what Everton need. And Newcastle. Perhaps Leicester. Why didn’t one of the big boys have a nibble? Perhaps they did and perhaps Adams has smartly realised that he needs games to progress. He’ll get them at Southampton where he’ll also get a bag full of goals.”
OPINION
Keys isn’t the most popular figure on Tyneside due to his disdainful treatment of beloved former boss Rafael Benitez, but he’s got a point here. Leicester probably didn’t need Adams after getting Ayoze Perez from Newcastle to pair with Jamie Vardy and co. in the Foxes’ attack. Everton might have required the youngster before he went to the south coast, but with Italian starlet Moise Kean now in situ they’ll be just fine without him. But Newcastle? They really should have made more of a push for the attacker. Adams is a tremendous talent who has taken the Championship by storm in recent years. He bagged a shedload of goals for Birmingham last season. There’s no doubt that the Saints did really well to bring him to St Mary’s Stadium. So, yes, Keys is right on this occasion. Newcastle would have been a great club for him, and he would have really improved the Magpies attack. He’s quick, intelligent in his movement, and a smart finisher. Unfortunately for the Toon Army, he’ll be taking those qualities to the Saints instead.
