The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has brought the 2019/20 English Championship season to a halt for the time being.
Recent reports claim second tier clubs facing financial problems as a result could enter “group administration” which would make every player in the division a free agent.
Should that happen, which players could Newcastle United target to take advantage of this unique situation?
Matty Cash
Club: Nottingham Forest
Age: 22
Nationality: England
Sabri Lamouchi saw something in Matty Cash that had up until his appointment as Nottingham Forest manager gone unnoticed. Initially viewed as a winger, Cash was utilised by Lamouchi at right back. The transformation in the 22-year-old has been remarkable, earning a reputation as one of the best full backs in the Championship this season.
Cash has been key to Forest’s resurgence, putting on four assists and even finding the back of the net three times in 36 league appearances. Newcastle have struggled for a consistent right back this season, switching between DeAndre Yedlin and Javier Manquillo. The addition of Cash would undoubtedly improve their squad.
Liam Cooper
Club: Leeds United
Age: 28
Nationality: Scotland
Long considered one of the best and most reliable centre backs at Championship level, Liam Cooper looked to finally be on the brink of a step up to the Premier League with table-toppers Leeds United until the suspension of the season. This is a situation United could use to their advantage.
Steve Bruce could do with a centre back in the mould of Cooper. Federico Fernandez and Jamaal Lascelles have forged a strong defensive partnership at St James’ Park this season, but the Scotland international could provide an upgrade. At the very least, he would broaden Newcastle’s centre-back options.
Josh Dasilva
Club: Brentford
Age: 21
Nationality: England
Signed as a teenager from Arsenal, Josh Dasilva has flourished into one of the brightest young talents in the Championship for Brentford. Regular first team football at Griffin Park has seen the 21-year-old become a key figure for the Bees, netting eight league goals and three assists from his position in the centre of the pitch.
There would surely be stiff competition for Dasilva should he become available as a free agent, but there’s little doubt that he would improve Newcastle’s midfield options, giving them some much needed goal threat from the centre of the pitch.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
Club: Fulham
Age: 25
Nationality: Serbia
Newcastle’s decision to allow Aleksandar Mitrovic to leave the club still haunts them. While the Magpies have since struggled for a reliable goal-scoring striker, the Serbian has become one of English football’s most prolific centre forwards for Fulham, netting 46 times for the Cottagers in just two years.
Mitrovic has more than proved himself as good enough to play in the Premier League again and so Newcastle could feasibly give him that opportunity by righting a wrong of the past. At 25 years old there’s reason to believe the Serbian is coming into his peak years and would be the kind of frontman the Magpies are desperate for.
Ollie Watkins
Club: Brentford
Age: 24
Nationality: England
A lack of goals has been an issue for United all season long. Indeed, the Magpies are the joint lowest scorers in the Premier League having found the net just 25 times over the 2019/20 campaign. It’s for this reason that the signing of Ollie Watkins would make a lot of sense for the Magpies.
The 24-year-old has scored 22 times for Brentford this season. Watkins has primarily played as a centre forward for Thomas Frank’s side, but is capable of playing on the left and right side of the attacking line. This versatility would surely appeal to Bruce. Watkins is a player who carries a goal threat wherever he plays.
