Newcastle’s men for one season...
MERINO SET TO FOLLOW IN OTHERS’ FOOTSTEPS
MIKEL Merino looks set to leave Newcastle this summer, with a move to La Liga side Real Sociedad looking increasingly likely.
La Real have made it clear they will activate the release clause which is in the Spanish under-21 international’s United contract making his summer exit from Tyneside seem inevitable.
Merino was arguably Newcastle’s leading performer at the start of last season, Newcastle fans dubbing him ‘magic Micky’ after some superb performances.
However, a back injury curtailed his progress and when he returned he found himself behind Jonjo Shelvey and Mo Diame in the midfield pecking order.
Merino (right) was frustrated by his lack of game-time and, coupled with reported home sickness, he has sought a move away this summer.
Benitez wanted to keep Merino, knowing he has the potential to be a leading Premier League midfielder in the future.
Unfortunately, for both Newcastle and Benitez, it will always be a case of ‘what if’ when it comes to Merino and Newcastle.
Of course, it would not be the first time it has happened. Below, we take a look at six previous examples of players who left Newcastle after one season - only to experience success elsewhere.
FLORIAN THAUVIN
Thauvin joined Newcastle amid much fanfare in 2015. One of the most highly-sought-after young talents in European football joined Newcastle under Steve McClaren and it first it seemed as if Newcastle had pulled off a coup. An impressive cameo appearance in his debut at Manchester United was followed by a goal and two assists in a League Cup win over Northampton. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for Thauvin at Newcastle. He was hauled off at half-time during a League Cup defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in September and made just one further start before rejoining Marseille on loan in January 2016. Thauvin signed permanently for Mar-
seille last summer and enjoyed a superb season in the South of France.
The 25-year-old scored 26 goals and registered 18 assists in all competitions in the 2017/18 campaign and was rewarded with a place in France’s World Cup squad.
LOIC REMY
Remy joined Newcastle on loan during the 2013/14 campaign and enjoyed a prolific season in front of goal.
The French international forward scored 14 goals in 27 appearances during a season-long loan spell from QPR.
Newcastle were keen to sign him permanently in the summer of 2014 - but instead Remy joined Chelsea and would go on to help the Blues win the Premier League title in his first season at the club.
SYLVAIN DISTIN
Distin joined Newcastle on a loan deal from PSG in 2001, making 30 appearances as the Magpies secured Champions League qualification.
However, instead of joining the Magpies permanently he opted to join Manchester City.
Newcastle would sign Jonathan Woodgate later in the 2002/03 campaign but initially it was considered a blow not to have tied down Distin to a permanent deal.
Distin would go on to enjoy spells with Portsmouth – with whom he won the FA Cup - Everton and Bournemouth across a very solid Premier League career.
JON-DAHL TOMASSON
Tomasson spent the 1997/98 campaign at Newcastle following a summer move from Heerenveen but managed just three goals in his only season in England.
In 1998 he returned to Holland with Feyenoord.
He won the Eredivisie title in his first season at the club and helped the club win the UEFA Cup in 2002.
After 69 goals in four seasons in Rotterdam he joined AC Milan and he won the Champions League in his first season. He is also Denmark’s record goalscorer, winning the bronze shoe at the 2002 World Cup for his four goals.
DIETMAR HAMANN
Hamann’s one season at Newcastle culminated in Newcastle reaching the FA Cup final in 1999.
However, he opted to join Liverpool the following season for £8m and he would win eight major trophies with the Reds, including a treble in 2001 and the Champions League in 2005.
He also helped Germany reach the World Cup final in 2002.
GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM
Wijnaldum’s only season at Newcastle resulted in relegation from the Premier League.
That said, he did score 11 goals during that campaign, although none were away from home and Magpies fans felt he was anonymous during games in the club’s end-of-season run-in.
It did not deter Liverpool from making a move for the Dutch international in the summer of 2016 and he has had two successful years at Anfield, culminating in starting in last season’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
He has even scored away from home.