Isaac Hayden is “near the front of the queue” for a a new contract at Newcastle United, according to Chronicle journalist.
The £22,000-a-week ace [Spotrac] looked to be on his way out of St. James’ Park after falling out of favour with Rafa Benitez last season, but has played his way back into the first team, and could be rewarded with a new deal.
Writing in a Q&A for the local outlet (16.04), Douglas said: “Isaac Hayden is near the front of the queue [for a new contract].
“United have worked hard to keep hold of him, and now he appears more settled they’ll be keen to give him the sort of long-term, substantial deal they handed to Jamaal Lascelles last season.
“One club source told me he represents “exactly what we want Newcastle to look like”.”
OPINION
This would be fantastic news for the Magpies if they were able to pull it off. Hayden looked as if his time on Tyneside was over this time last year for a combination of footballing and personal reasons. Ever since he was called upon during an injury crisis last winter, however, he has been exemplary, and is now one of the most important players in Steve Bruce’s squad. So far this term he has averaged 2.5 tackles, 1.5 interceptions, and 1.8 clearances per game, as per Whoscored, as well as a pass completion rate of 81.4%. It’s been a seismic turnaround for the player, and there has been serious talk of him perhaps playing his way into Gareth Southgate’s England plans at some point. That would be a massive achievement, and a real testament to how far he has come in such a short space of time. Getting him tied down to a new deal is an absolute no-brainer.
