OPINION
A parent club’s loan player enjoying himself away from the club isn’t a problem in and of itself. In fact, a lot of the time it’s exactly what is hoped for when they’re sent out on loan.
However, when you consider that the player involved is someone who has become frustrated and potentially dissatisfied with life at his parent club, fans start to have reason to worry.
This is the scenario surrounding Newcastle United goalkeeper Freddie Woodman right now, who has been talking about how much he is enjoying his time with Championship leaders Swansea City.
“I’ve had a few loan spells in my career, and I have to say this is the best place I have come in terms of settling straight away,” he told the Welsh side’s official website. “I love playing here.”
Obviously when you’re playing regularly for a side that is top of the league you’re going to be enjoying yourself. But as a Newcastle supporter, you’re surely worrying that Woodman is having a bit TOO much fun in Wales.
The fact is that the young ‘keeper hasn’t always had that same feeling about life on Tyneside. He spoke to The Chronicle a year ago about the ‘bad situation’ he was in at St James’ Park after a loan exit was blocked by then-boss Rafael Benitez. He was stuck in footballing limbo for the entirety of last season, something that won’t have pleased him one bit.
He’s managed to get the move away he wanted this time round, and is obviously profiting from it, but the concern is that he will come back to Newcastle next summer and say he wants a permanent move to Steve Cooper’s side.
He’s said it himself: he’s loving life at Swansea. Contrast that to his time in a ‘bad situation’ in the north east, and it would be no surprise to see him follow that course of action come the end of the campaign.
That is the worry for the Toon Army, but it could be completely unfounded. Let’s wait and see what the future holds, but hopefully Woodman will be wearing the number one shirt at St James’ some time soon.
