Newcastle’s latest signing Georginio Wijnaldum becomes the club’s third most expensive transfer of all time, but how have our most expensive signings fared? Michael Brown takes a look:
Michael Owen – £17million – 2005-2009
Michael Owen became Newcastle’s all time most expensive signing in August 2005 when then manager Graeme Souness stumped up £17million for the Real Madrid striker. He was unveiled in front of thousands inside St James’ Park and the Geordie faithful expected huge things from the England international.
However, Owen made an extremely slow start to his career on Tyneside due to a lack of fitness. During his four-year spell with the club, he made just 74 appearances, scoring 30 in the process.
Following Newcastle’s relegation in 2009, he unsurprisingly announced that he would not remain with the club.
Over the course of his time on Tyneside, Owen never really justified his price-tag to the fans, with his performances leaving fans angered on several occasions. Although he had the price-tag and wages of a super star, he never really got going on Tyneside. For our most expensive player, he was very anti-climatic.
Verdict: Failure
Alan Shearer – £15million – 1996-2006
The man is a club legend. He has broken records throughout his career and I feel privileged to have watched Shearer from the stands on numerous occasions – including the game against Everton when he scored that unforgettable volley.
Shearer is Newcastle’s all-time leading goalscorer with 206 goals and also holds the records for the most Premier League hat-tricks (11), most goals in a Premier League game (5 vs Sheffield Wednesday in 1999) and the all-time Premier League top scorer (260).
Shearer made 303 Premier League appearances and scored an incredible 260 goals. Looking back at his incredible record and what he did for the club, signing Shearer for £15million was daylight robbery. The guy was unique. He would bully defenders, draw fouls and he was unstoppable in the air. I cannot see anyone ever breaking his records and, of the current crop of players in the Premier League, noone else is worthy of holding his record.
Verdict: Success
Georginio Wijnaldum – £14.5million – 2015-Present
Well, Gini is currently yet to make an appearance for the club, but any player who was voted as Player of the Season last season ahead of Manchester United new-boy Memphis Depay must be good, right? Gini was PSV’s captain and, at the age of 24, has the capability to lead Newcastle out. Maybe this time next year, I can rewrite this confirming Gini is a genius and his move was success, but right now it’s too soon.
Verdict: Too soon to tell.
Remy Cabella – £12million – 2014-present
I must admit, I am a fan of Cabella. I was before we signed him and I still am now. However, I just cannot defend his massively underwhelming debut season in the Premier League. He was ineffective in most games and wasn’t strong enough to compete in 50/50 duels. He struggled with the pace of the game, but I hope he can improve.
I hope that his first season was just him struggling to adapt, but he will bulk up this pre-season and change next season. Many foreign players arrive in England and fail to adapt instantly – just look at Radamel Falcao, a World Class player outshone by James Wilson last campaign.
I expect Cabella to be handed a second chance under McClaren and hopefully we can see the Frenchman meet his full potential. He has a lot more to offer and I am looking forward to seeing him show it in a black and white jersey.
Verdict: Failure (so far)
Fabricio Coloccini – £10.3million – 2008-present
Captain Colo. The frizzy haired centre back signed for Newcastle back in 2008 and had a shocking debut season.
Following Newcastle’s relegation to the Championship, many jumped ship while the fans feared they would be left with a squad unable to fight for promotion. However, (fair play to him) Coloccini stepped up and stayed on at Newcastle. He was rewarded with the captaincy and guided Newcastle back to the Premier League. He went from strength to strength and began to receive plaudits from fans, pundits and managers.
Sadly,in the last two seasons Fabricio has come under the spotlight as he fought for a return to Argentina, much to the fans frustration. Alan Pardew persuaded Coloccini to stay, but his performances since then have been sub-standard. He has been a shadow of his former self.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Coloccini departed from St James’ Park before September, with McClaren seemingly looking to hand the captain’s armband to Jack Colback.
I can’t really justify calling Coloccini a success considering the past two seasons – especially when you compare him to the success of Alan Shearer.
Verdict: Failure (just)
Would you agree with the verdicts? What would you change? Get in touch
