Newcastle United need leaders and their rumoured target Andre Ayew fits the bill perfectly.
After Fabricio Coloccini was sent off at Everton, Newcastle looked lost. There’s not many players with the authority and influence to stand up and be counted at Newcastle, so they need them in the summer.
Ayew is one of those kind of players. He could walk into the club and take the armband with no worries whatsoever. He is a powerful player and I’m delighted that Newcastle are looking at it him as a potential summer signing – bringing him in would be the right sort of move.
The Marseille forward has exactly the sort of character, temperament and mentality that you need to lead a club like Newcastle and while I’m not saying he definitely will be the next captain if he signs, he’s the sort of person who could take on that responsibility without a shadow of a doubt.
I am a little bit surprised that Newcastle are in the running for him – he seems that little bit older than the sort of player Newcastle usually go for. But I think that experience is exactly what they need because they are missing a bit of know-how and experience in key positions.
I’ve said before that a young team that will run all day for you has its upsides, but the down side is that naievty that has cost Newcastle points this season. Ayew has the minutes under his belt and would be the right sort of player for Newcastle.
I do think Ayew would be an instant hit in England. He can score goals, he’s powerful and he also has the kind of physicality that would mean it wouldn’t take him too long to adapt. He’s one of the better players in France and if he’s available, Newcastle should really work hard to try and bring him in.