Rèmy Cabella is the latest of
a vast sea of players Alan Pardew has recruited from across the channel
(although there's no need to thank yourself, mind) joining the likes of Yoann
Gouffran, Moussa Sissoko, Hatem Ben Arfa, Gabriel Obertan and even former
Montpellier teammate Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa as a member of the toon army. Even with
such a range of players, the new kid on tyneside has the potential to surpass
all his fellow French teammates and go on to become the cult hero of this
reinvigorated Newcastle team.
Arriving from Montpellier for
a fee believed to be around £12million, Cabella is a 24 year old attacking
midfielder with the versatility to operate either in the number 10 role or out
on the wing. He will provide his new team with more pace as well as more of a
creative spark, which seemed to disappear in the second half of last season
(after the loss of a fellow Frenchman) Whilst Cabaye was the star man and is
undoubtedly still missed by the Geordie faithful, Cabella has the potential to
fill Yohan's shoes and become the star player that appeared to be non existent
in the Newcastle side from March onwards.
Cabaye operated in a somewhat
unnaturally advanced position for Newcastle prior to his big money move to PSG
(Remember that he is more naturally used to pulling the strings in midfield
from a deeper position) Not only can the new Rèmy in town fill this void but he
is also more naturally suited to playing higher up the pitch. Playing for a
Montpellier team that could only manage a 15th place finish, Cabella was still
able to register 81 key passes for his side (which was the third highest in
Ligue 1) even though this only translated to 5 assists. Considering that,
Cabella aside, the three next highest Montpellier goalscorers only had 4 goals
to their name, it could be concluded that the low number of assists is at least
partially down to his teammates not being clinical enough.
The high number of key passes
provided however would imply that Riviere (himself Monaco's top scorer last
season) Cissè and Gouffran will be provided with chances created by Cabella. If
they manage to be clinical in front of goal, then we could be looking at a
player who registers one of the highest number of individual assists come the
end of the 14/15 season. In addition to his ability to play a key pass, Cabella
also registered 14 goals for Montpellier, which again demonstrates that, as
well as the fact that he has an eye for goal, he can also shoulder the
responsibility of being the key man in a side (when you consider the relatively
poor goalscoring return from the other players individually)
If Cabella can replicate the same goals and chances created in England
as he did in France, then Newcastle may have a new hero. There is an
"If" however. Cabella is a relatively small player in stature and may
need some time to adjust to the physical nature of the premier league. But,
should he adapt quickly (which he has the talent to do) and find a greater
level of consistency this season, then it is possible that we may be looking at
one of the buys of the summer.
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