Following a lacklustre start to the season, Newcastle United can be said to have been struggling without an element of flair. A talented player of the same ilk as the likes of Laurent Robert and Hatem Ben Arfa has eluded the Newcastle faithful for the past few campaigns. However, against Crystal Palace at the beginning of the 2014/15 season, an academy starlet burst onto the scene with a goal and an assist to help Newcastle gain a point in an enthralling 3-3 draw. Any United fan could have been excused for jumping to the conclusion that Newcastle had found their newest pacey flair player in Rolando Aarons.
However, injuries have held the young star back and the Jamaican-born winger has only made eight appearances for United, scoring two goals in the process, with his last being almost a year ago in the League Cup at the Etihad Stadium. Struggling to break into the first team under temporary boss John Carver and, despite being billed as a potential starter after Steve McClaren’s accession to the managerial post, Aarons has been used as a bit-part player.
Once again, injuries have hindered his progress during this season’s progress, as he currently sits out with a calf injury until November. This begs the question, based on the success of loan spells for fellow academy prospects Adam Armstrong and Freddie Woodman, should Rolando Aarons be loaned out too?
A stint in the Championship from January until the end of the season may be beneficial to the 19-year-old, who would undoubtedly thrive in the lower division with less pressure on his shoulders to deliver, if he stays injury-free. As he is highly regarded amongst United fans, Aarons would certainly attract attention of potential loan sides; this suggests that he could follow the example of his close teammate, Adam Armstrong, emulating his creative and goal-scoring form which will certainly develop the youngster into a potential first team starter come the beginning of the 2016/17 season. Currently stagnating in the treatment room at United, Aarons’ growth within the club may become stunted, and, for this reason, a loan deal where he’ll be guaranteed game-time could well be the best option.
However, Aarons featured plenty during pre-season, even scoring a few well-taken goals, proving that he could stake a claim for a first team spot once he returns to full fitness. The woeful form of Florian Thauvin, fans’ displeasure at the work rate of Moussa Sissoko, and the injured Gabriel Obertan provides Aarons with the perfect opportunity to gain a regular place in the United side as his main competitors for the position on the wing aren’t exactly performing, proven by Newcastle’s current league position.
Similarly, the potential right-wing link-up with attacking full-back, Daryl Janmaat, could be a formula for success as both players like to get forward and both can cross a ball, as well as being adept in the tackling department. We’ve seen the youthful enthusiasm of Kevin Mbabu light up St James’ Park recently and fans will be hoping Aarons can replicate his early season form of last, to help lift Newcastle from their slump.
It may also be the case that Aarons is the perfect combination for one of United’s biggest players: front man Aleksandar Mitrović. Aarons has showcased his crossing ability on a number of occasions and the Serbian forward thrives in the aerial department, which could certainly add to the summer signing’s goals tally.
First on the list of Aarons’ priorities must be getting back to full fitness, and, unlike many other young players, his attitude is first class. It is unknown whether a loan move would be preferred or whether he would like to remain settled in the North East and fight for his first team place. This seems the option many United fans would seek – an injection of raw, enthusiastic talent into the team.
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