Football fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the start of the 2015/16 Premier League season next weekend. As they frantically alter their fantasy teams and assess their beloved side’s new additions.
However, the Geordie faithful aren’t in the same boat. Three fresh faces have arrived on Tyneside this summer, with another expected early next week, but it is the performance of last season’s players that will be the biggest cause for concern. The majority of the squad failed to fulfil its potential as Newcastle dangled perilously close to the relegation zone.
So, heading into the new season, what Newcastle players need to step up the most next season?
Remy Cabella
Last summer’s big money signing from Montpellier who failed to live up to the lofty expectations set by the Toon Army.
Cabella endured a difficult first season in the Premier League and has already been linked with a move away from Tyneside, with Ligue 1 outfit Marseille said to be interested.
Multiple factors led to Cabella being a flop in his debut Premier League campaign. His slight build, which suited his shifting playmaking style at Montpellier, did not translate perfectly to England. Cabella also lacked proper game time during the first half of the season, being played sporadically by former manager Alan Pardew, and was only resurrected by John Carver once Pardew departed in January.
With a full pre-season with the new manager under his belt, Cabella will now have to prove that he can thrive on the wing and provide for Aleksandar Mitrovic to cement his place in the Newcastle starting eleven. His experiences in the Premier League last season, combined with a better run under McClaren, should help him prove his worth.
Emmanuel Riviere
When you examine the statistics from AS Monaco’s 2013/14 season, you find an excellent future trivia question and it’s answer. Who was Monaco’s top scorer in 2013/14? Not Radamel Falcao, who cost the club €60million from Atletico Madrid. Not James Rodriguez, who now plies his trade for Real Madrid. It is Emmanuel Riviere, who notched up a tally of 13 goals that season. At the end of the season, he was rewarded with a £6.7million switch to Newcastle United.
But Riviere couldn’t reproduce his form from the previous season. Instead, he netted once in 23 Premier League appearances. Going from being the top goalscorer at the second best side in Ligue 1, who qualified for the Champions League, to being a scapegoat at a club that was almost relegated must have been a huge disappointment for Manu.
With Aleksandar Mitrovic already having arrived on Tyneside, as well as Charlie Austin from QPR potentially arriving this summer, Riviere will likely drop further down the striking pecking order. Riviere may not have a great opportunity to prove himself as Newcastle this season but, if he gets one, he will have to find the net or he will certainly go down as a transfer bust.
Papiss Cisse
Cisse does not find himself on this list due to his performance, as he was one of the Premier League’s best strikers (when available) last season. He netted 11 times in 22 appearances and recorded a goal per minute ratio of 105 – better than Harry Kane, Charlie Austin and Alexis Sanchez.
His biggest problem is staying on the pitch. A combination of recovery from breaking his kneecap, the African Cup of Nations and two lengthy suspensions for inexcusable behaviour cost Cisse many appearances.
This season, Cisse will have to prove, despite his goal return last campaign, that he is still Newcastle’s top striker. The addition of the aforementioned Mitrovic (and potentially Austin) will prove to be a good challenge for Cisse.
Fabricio Coloccini
The once assured Argentine defender faces pressure this season after a dismal defensive campaign as a whole last season. As the joint highest paid player, as well as the captain, Coloccini is someone the fans expect to perform well week in, week out. Despite suffering from injuries, like many of the players listed above, Coloccini also looked like a shell of his former self when fit.
With a potential transfer to reunite with Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace on the cards, and the possibility of losing the captaincy looming, if Coloccini stays, he will have to prove that he can regain the form that deserted him all of last season. At 33-years-old, it will be a difficult task indeed.
Moussa Sissoko
Sissoko makes his way onto this list for a couple of reasons. Firstly, his inconsistency. An examination of his two performances against West Ham last season demonstrate just how dramatically Sissoko can change in an instant.
In the final game of last season, Sissoko netted the opening goal against the Hammers which helped secure Newcastle’s survival in the top flight for another season. However, earlier in the campaign, when Newcastle lost 1-0 to West Ham, Sissoko looked invisible until he picked up two yellow cards in as many minutes. This erratic behaviour is something Sissoko will have to improve on.
Sissoko also always seems to be linked with a move to a bigger club, which is fine, but the player himself does not need to flirt with these rumours. Sissoko never attempts to distance himself from these rumours. In fact, nine times out of ten, he welcomes them.
This season, Sissoko will have to play consistently to the best of his ability to remain in the first-team. The arrival of Georginio Wijnaldum and the return of Siem de Jong from injury will see the Frenchman’s position under threat.
If he does live up to his potential, he will not only retain his place, but he will prove to the fans – who doubted his passion last season – that he does care about the club.
Honorable Mentions
Siem De Jong
Close to making this list, De Jong made a total of five appearances for the club due to injuries, including a collapsed lung, last season. However, when fit, De Jong has looked like a good player. If he stays healthy, he should quickly show the fans the caliber of player he is.
Siem de Jong only played ten minutes against Swansea and made a genuine case for our player of 2015 so far.
— NUFCThreatLevel (@NUFCThreatLevel) June 25, 2015
Cheick Tiote
Coming off an injury plagued campaign, Tiote may have less pressure than others in the team, due to his having played for McClaren at Dutch club FC Twente, and his previous good performances for Newcastle.
Shane Ferguson and Gael Bigirimana
Two of the “Rangers Five” have returned to Newcastle with a chance to prove themselves under a new manager after becoming forgotten men. Both have seen action in the preseason, but the window of opportunity they receive in real matches will likely be short, if they get one at all.
