Sammy Ameobi, Ryan Taylor and Jonas Gutierrez will all depart Newcastle United this summer with the club unwilling to offer the trio contract extensions, after being deemed surplus to requirements by the current set-up.
Not exactly first-team players in any capacity, Sammy, Jonas and Taylor can provide serviceable depth in the squad, given Mike Ashley’s reluctant approach to transfer windows, with limited investment expected again this summer.
Sammy has contributed more to the first team than his brother Shola managed towards the end of his stint at the club, but doesn’t have the quality to really push for a first team place on either wing, despite the lacklustre play of Yoan Gouffran. Also, adding to the home-grown contingent at the club is never a bad thing.
The often injured Ryan Taylor has appeared to have lost a step, and isn’t the same attacking threat he once was down the flanks. Having spent so much time on the sidelines, it will inevitably take several weeks to get back into the swing of things, but even the outstanding element of his game, his set plays, seem to have worsened also. His versatile nature is a great attribute, but he’s not blessed with great quality in any position.
Jonas has spent so much time out through illness that it almost seems unfair to let him walk before we get to see him fully return to his best. Able to play across midfield, Jonas will always be a periphery player at the club, but is a dependable player to have in your squad. Like a very poor mans James Milner in that regard.
The decision not to offer a single player, especially Sammy Ameobi (young and homegrown), a contract extension seems a bizarre one from Ashley’s perspective. Anything he can do not to loosen the pursestrings a little is aces in his book.
