Jose Mourinho said that he would never have sold a left-footed, 1.95m midfielder like Nemanja Matic had he been in charge when Chelsea got rid of him in 2011. The same mantra applies to Newcastle United and Sammy Ameobi. Of course, their positions on the pitch are different, yet Ameobi is a 1.95M tall, left-footed player who Newcastle will greatly regret letting go if he isn’t signed before his contract is up this summer.
Naturally, left-footed wide players are still a rarity—think of England’s perennial left-wing problem over the last 20 years, although Ameobi has opted to follow in brother Shola’s international footsteps and play for Nigeria. His attacking attributes are evident—he made Premier League history when he scored the winning goal within 8 seconds of coming on as half-time substitute against Spurs at White Hart Lane in October: a goal which kick-started a five-game winning streak in which Ameobi was ever-present.
He’s also a provider—he outran the second best right-back in the Premier League, Branislav Ivanovic, to set up Papiss Cisse for the opening goal in Newcastle’s famous win over a Chelsea side who were ‘Invincible’ until their December clash with The Magpies at St James’ Park. Alan Pardew had Ameobi to thank for another vital assist at Swansea when he came on to set up Cisse’s equaliser at the Liberty Stadium and helped keep him in the Newcastle job. He also set up Sissoko’s winner against QPR, giving him at least one more assist (three in total) than the stats fail to show.
With Newcastle’s perennial injury problems, it’s foolish to even think of jettisoning a hard-working, always fit local player who is growing in resilience when Gabriel Obertan and Rolando Aarons are constantly having hamstring issues, particularly in a sport which requires so much attacking talent.
Ameobi’s defensive attributes are equally important, as well: his tackling back and cover are excellent examples of a work ethic most noticeable in his absence. Against both Stoke City and Manchester United at St James’ Park recently, Newcastle conceded late goals down the left-hand side of the pitch that he had been protecting superbly until he was subbed off prematurely.
Sky Sports rates Ameobi ‘Very Strong’ for Defensive Contribution and Aerial Challenges, and Squawka.com describe his tackling and heading as “surprisingly efficient”—modern football speak for the fact that he gets stuck in and puts himself about belying the terrace myth about a deceptively languid style.
Ameobi is an easy target for the same boo boys who disliked his brother; he’s even at times been blamed for goals when not even on the pitch, just as Shola was scapegoated when he wasn’t scoring against Barcelona, Chelsea, Man United, Sunderland et al despite saving the club’s skin time and again.
Unsurprisingly, David Moyes, now manager of Real Sociedad, is reported to be a big admirer of Ameobi’s services and is keen to take him to Spain in summer. In a December Evening Chronicle poll, 94% of fans voted for Ameobi to be awarded a new contract, which spoke volumes for a growing popularity on Tyneside and progression into a real Premier League asset.
After his 35-yard goal against Hull, he showed a shooting prowess and eye for goal, so it may be wise to experiment with him as a striker in the absence of Papiss Cisse. Reminiscent of Danny Welbeck, who was often played on the wing by Manchester United but has flourished at Arsenal when played in the central role, Ameobi has all the attributes to succeed through the middle. He’s fast, skilful, likes to take players on and can score goals. In Ben Arfa’s last fateful game against Reading under-21s, Ameobi headed in a corner, proving he has the aerial ability that comes with his immense height.
Crucially, he is a local lad and has that “Geordie chip” that former Chairman Freddie Shepherd reckoned brought the best out of players from Newcastle who know what it means to represent the football club. Newcastle are keen to establish an identity as a club who bring through young local talent and retaining the services of the 22 year-old dovetails perfectly with FA Chairman Greg Dyke’s proposal that 12 of all 25-man Premier League squads be home grown, which will come into effect soon.
Already at 22, he has 49 top flight games under his belt and will only improve as he adapts to the unique demands of the Premier League and one of the biggest stages in English football. How good a player will he be when he has 100 games experience under his belt? It took Chelsea £21m to recover the services of Matic, once on trial at Middlesbrough and Sammy Ameobi, likewise, was on loan at the Riverside Stadium where he thrived before being recalled last season.
Newcastle must see the light, before it’s too late.
Main Photo:
