Eddie Howe is keen on a move for Bournemouth’s Steve Cook, according to page 63 of Sunday’s Sun newspaper.
What’s the latest Newcastle United transfer news?
Heading into the January transfer window, the defence has reportedly been earmarked as an area to improve. Clearly, that’s for good reason, given only Norwich City have conceded more often than Newcastle this season.
The likes of James Tarkowski and Ben Mee have both been linked with move to St James’ Park, although this report suggests both players would likely cost “fortunes”. After all, Burnley selling either would weaken their attempts to stay in the Premier League and strengthen a direct rival.
With that in mind, 30-year-old Cook is said to have emerged as a target, given his experience of working with Howe in the Premier League.
Would Cook be a good signing for Newcastle?
Obviously, just because Cook isn’t exactly a headline name doesn’t necessarily mean he wouldn’t be a good signing, it’s just that surely Newcastle could do better.
The former Watford defender was part of a defence to have conceded 65 times in their final season in the Premier League and did not exactly make a strong case to be considered a level above that. As a back-up, he might be worthwhile addition but Cook doesn’t seem likely to be the transformative figure Newcastle so desperately need after such little investment in defence over the last few years.
During his last season in the Premier League, Cook produced far lower averages in some key defensive metrics such as tackles, blocks and clearances than the likes of Federico Fernandez, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles have managed even this year (via WhoScored).
Given just how poorly the defence have operated this season, they will surely need more, even if Cook might be a better option in reserve than what the club currently have.
Look, just because our present pick, for the managers job
has began to look at some of his previous players means nothing, we don’t need second tier players with a year or more until they reach the thirty mark, what we need are certain players in their prime a fewer older heads and certainly youngsters on their way to stardom, plus we certainly need a refreshing of our under 23’s.