In one of the more obvious developments of the summer, Jose Enrique is off to Liverpool.
The Spaniard was always going to leave Newcastle before the end of the transfer window. That much became apparent when he wouldn't discuss a new contract with United.
The fee being widely reported is £6 million, about the same number Newcastle paid for his services four years ago. Considering how much Enrique has improved as a player since then - and don't forget, he was incredibly shaky during his first two seasons at the club - that figure is disappointing. But the fact that Enrique was entering the last year of his contract meant there was never going to be an enormous windfall.
So the value of this transfer will hinge completely on the player that's brought in to replace Enrique. The frontrunner appears to be PSV Eindhoven's Erik Pieters, although Alan Pardew said today that Newcastle was "actively pursuing" two or three left backs.
I'm not angry about Enrique leaving, because I had already resigned myself to the fact that he wasn't going to stay. What disturbs me is that Newcastle has once again shown a severe lack of timing in the transfer market. Enrique-to-Liverpool has been hanging out there all summer long, so why is this happening two days before the club's Premier League opener? And why wasn't a fee already agreed for Pieters or another replacement?
Instead, we'll see Ryan Taylor or someone else playing out of position at left back against Arsenal - not exactly a comforting thought. Hopefully this is the only week we'll have to think about that prospect.
The timing is poor, but to be fair, there will be a number of transfers over the next three weeks and every one of them will be poor timing for the selling club. Unfortunately for us, we're not established enough to have quality backup at each position right now. Supposedly, Ferguson is supposed to start at LB on Saturday, so we just have to hope that he can handle it for a week or two, and we'll have a replacement in before the end of the window.
Posted by: Charlie Prince | 08/11/2011 at 09:50 AM
Its a bit unfair to blame N/cle when there's no offer been made. I expect to see the same complaints when Barton moves on late in the transfer window. In that regard, your comment is really wishful thinking for a perfect world. As an ex-defender, I've always considered Enrique a player that catches the eye offensively but at the core, a weak defender that gets by. If we get a replacement with the reverse strengths I think our defensive unit will be better off. Agree totally about Enrique's early years & wouldn't be surprised to see Liverpool leaking cheap goals on the left side against top teams.
Posted by: AndyB | 08/11/2011 at 11:23 AM
i know this may not be the best solution but why not having a back 4 of staylor at RB....willo and colo at CB and Simpson at LB at least until a replacement can be acquired?...or just trust ferguson will be healthy and up to the task..
Posted by: Jaeger | 08/11/2011 at 06:02 PM
Jonas anyone??? Oh lord, I'm not sleeping tomorrow night at the thought that might happen
Posted by: Dave From Newcastle | 08/11/2011 at 08:08 PM
Andy - I don't see how it's wishful thinking for NUFC to already have a replacement lined up when the Enrique fee was agreed. This transfer has been hanging out there all summer, even if there wasn't previously a concrete offer.
According to the Journal today, NUFC was interested in Pieters regardless of the Enrique situation - so why not bring him in before selling Enrique? It's not like they had to wait on the Enrique deal to fund a move for Pieters or anyone else.
I agree that Enrique is overrated defensively. He tries to play his way out of trouble a bit too much for me.
Jaeger - not a bad idea. Taylor has looked decent at RB in the past, although last season he wasn't good when he played there.
Dave - Jonas would be terrifying. He looked shaky at LB in Kansas City against Kei Kamara.
Posted by: Tom | 08/11/2011 at 08:36 PM
Jonas is not the answer at LB. Ferguson, Ryan Taylor, or Simpson (with Steven Taylor at RB) would all be preferable. Whatever it is, it won't be ideal and will hopefully be taken care of in the next few weeks. What I'm really looking forward to is seeing who Pardew trots out in the midfield.
Posted by: Charlie Prince | 08/12/2011 at 08:33 AM