NO BULL: ENRIQUE AS GOOD AS GONE

Earlier this week we learned that Jose Enrique isn't willing to open talks about a new contract at Newcastle until the club is safe from relegation.

It was hard to read that without wondering how likely it is that Enrique will be back on Tyneside next season. His reasoning is understandable. But it also seems to be setting the stage for a summer departure to a club that could offer him Champions League football, a bigger payday or both. After the Andy Carroll saga, thinking anything else seems a bit naive.

And thinking anything else seems more than a bit naive after Enrique's further declarations yesterday to the Daily Mail: "It is flattering that Liverpool are interested. I’ve also heard that Manchester United and Aston Villa have asked about me. They are both big teams and I’m not closing the door on anyone. I’m ambitious and want to play in the Champions League. I want to win things. I’m OK at Newcastle but I aspire to more."

Translation: "I am as good as gone."

Enrique, of course, has one year left on the five-year deal he signed in 2007 after joining United in a £6.3 million deal. It would be in the club's best interest to either tie him down to a new deal this summer or cash in. Newcastle would be silly to risk losing Enrique for nothing after next season, and holding onto him until the January transfer window doesn't seem like a good idea, either. At that point, he'd have only six months left on his deal, which would limit the size of the transfer fee — not to mention he could sign a pre-contract agreement with another club under the Bosman ruling. 

I really can't blame Enrique for wanting to move for more money and/or the chance to play at a higher-profile club. He's developed into one of the best left backs in the Premiership after a somewhat shaky start on Tyneside. His partnership with Jonas Gutierrez on the left wing has been a crucial dimension of Newcastle's play over the past two seasons. Losing him would be a significant blow.

But it has to be said that Enrique is prone to mental lapses. He has a tendency to try to play his way out of trouble — two bad giveaways in the first half of Tuesday's win at Birmingham, a match in which he otherwise played quite well, come to mind. 

So what exactly should Newcastle do?

There are only two factors that can keep a player at a club: winning and money. While owner Mike Ashley will be called cheap once again by plenty of United fans if Enrique's wage demands aren't met, he has brought a level of fiscal responsibility to the club that didn't previously exist. As for the winning side of things, Newcastle has put together a fairly impressive first season back in the top flight. But not even the most optimistic fan would say Champions League football will be returning to St. James' Park anytime soon.

And so, it looks like the Toon Army will once again be waving goodbye to one of the club's top players in the not-too-distant future. Like it or not, that is life at today's Newcastle.

Comments

[Bob]

Liquidate him. His game Tuesday was typical - impressive most of the way and the announcers were like "he's all that," but as you point out there was a stretch in the first half when his head disappeared and it isn't the first time we've seen it. We'd miss him, but that kind of player is often overpriced and a good sale. What's more, I don't think we're so far from the Champions League. We're in ninth having had nothing but bad luck for months. Add Andy Carroll's savings to this club - I know that's a sizable if - and it's a club no one wants to play. Not to mention the possible lift from absentees, from Ireland, Ben Arfa, Ameobi. Being part of a turnaround at Newcastle would be worth a million choruses of You'll Never Walk Alone. A smart player might want to hang around. Sad to say, he may not fit the description.