Why Newcastle United must do everything to sign Jonathan David
According to a report from Spanish publication Todo Fichajes (h/t Shields Gazette), Newcastle United are in talks to sign Canadian striker Jonathan David from Belgian outfit Gent in the summer.
David, 20, spent time at the academies of Gloucester Dragons Soccer and Ottawa Gloucester SC, before signing for Ottawa Internationals Soccer Club. In January 2018, the attacker signed for Gent and spent the first six months at the club with the B team.
David made his first-team debut in September 2018 and has since become a regular fixture in the side. So far, the 20-year-old has accumulated 83 senior appearances for the Belgian outfit, scoring 37 goals and assisting 15 more.
Newcastle need urgent attacking reinforcements
Newcastle United have endured another middling campaign. Sitting 13th in the Premier League table, the Magpies have scored the joint-least number of goals in the Premier League this season (25). That is something that needs to change for them to take the next step in the coming campaigns.
None of the current strikers of the club has delivered this season. Joelinton has netted just once in the league and The remaining three centre-forwards – Andy Carroll, Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto haven’t found the back of the net even once.
The fact that a central midfielder, Jonjo Shelvey, is the club’s top scorer for the season (5 goals) highlights the dire need of a new striker at St. James’ Park.
To that end, signing Jonathan David would be a good move for the Tynesiders. The £31m-rated attacker has been in top form for Gent since joining the club. The 2018/19 campaign saw him bag 14 goals and 5 assists in 43 matches.
David finished the curtailed 2019/20 campaign with an exceptional return of 23 goals and 10 assists in 40 games across all competitions. His goal tally is just two shy of what Newcastle United have managed as a team in the Premier League this term.
The improvement in goals and assists indicate that David’s career graph is on an upward curve. Furthermore, at 20, he should only continue to improve with proper guidance and experience. Signing him in the summer would, without a doubt, bolster the misfiring Newcastle United attack.
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Verdict
Given Newcastle United’s attacking woes this season, it is imperative for the club to bring in reinforcements. David, to that end, would be a fine acquisition. The Canadian has been in top form for Gent over the past year. Considering his age, he would be a long-term solution for the Magpies’ problems in the final third of the pitch.
