According to The Sun, Middlesbrough are interested in Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie. With Ben Gibson off to Burnley, and Wolves circling Adama Traore (h/t The Sun), Tony Pulis must look elsewhere to strengthen the wing position before the transfer window closes.
Boro started the new campaign with a 2-2 draw against Millwall. Tony Pulis’ side needs reinforcements to better the fifth-place finish they managed last season. However, Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United would be the biggest losers if the Scotland international departed St. James’ Park.
Ritchie’s last two seasons in the second tier have been hugely successful. He helped Bournemouth secure promotion in 2014/15, registering 15 goals and 17 assists. In 2016/17, Ritchie was at it again, scoring 12 goals and 7 assists as Newcastle ended their short stint in the Championship.
The Magpies’ transfer activity this summer has been far from ambitious. Operating largely on a buy-sell policy, Spanish boss Benitez has been unable to land his priority targets. He has had to make do with cut-price and loan signings.
At the moment, sanctioning a sale for Matt Ritchie would only increase the frustration levels and see more criticism head Mike Ashley’s way. In fact, on a Newcastle fan forum called The Mag, the Toon Army overwhelmingly voted for Ritchie to remain at St. James’ Park. Only Jonjo Shelvey, 99%, Jamaal Lascelles, 98%, and Florian Lejeune, 95%, had more votes than Ritchie’s 94%.
Over the past two seasons, Ritchie has been a vital asset for Newcastle. His presence helped the Magpies secure promotion from the Championship and finish 10th in the Premier League last season.
Furthermore, in the previous campaign, Ritchie was among Newcastle’s most effective players as he scored 3 goals and assisted a further 6.
Ritchie often plays as a winger but can also feature as a No. 10 if needed. For a Newcastle side lacking quality across the squad, there aren’t many wide players. Apart from Ritchie, Benitez only has Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy to choose from.
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However, none of them has done enough to suggest the Magpies could do without Ritchie next season. In the direst of situations, Ayoze Perez can shift out wide but that is not his best position. None of his 10 goals from last season came from the flanks.
Hence, selling a fan favorite and a genuinely hardworking player would be highly unwise for Newcastle United this summer.
