A number of Newcastle United supporters have been reacting to comments made by The Telegraph reporter Luke Edwards responding to Chronicle Live’s report on the progress made so far by Rodrigo Vilca and the plan for him long-term.
The Peruvian arrived at St James’ Park last summer in a £250,000 deal and has spent time with the club’s academy since his arrival. There were plans to send him out on loan in January, but an injury thwarted that, with a move to either Holland or Belgium put on ice. It is also believed that the plan is for him to spend a year out on loan, potentially next season (Chronicle Live).
The report added that the Magpies are hopeful that the 21-year-old can prove to be a potential long-term successor to Miguel Almiron in the number 10 position at St James’ Park. That comes after an explanation of the lengthy process which head of recruitment Steve Nickson went through to bring Vilca to Newcastle.
However, communicating via Twitter, Edwards was less enthusiastic about the potential for the Peruvian to break into the first team in the number 10 role, suggesting that it was an addition which has never made sense considering the presence of rising star Elliot Anderson in the and around the first team squad. He also believes there is little long-term planning being done at the club other than the hope of Mike Ashley selling up.
Not a transfer that made much sense when the number 10 position is also where Elliott Anderson, the best Academy prospect in a generation plays. As for #nufc there is no long term plan beyond Ashley selling it for a £100m plus profit. Yes I’m being grumpy https://t.co/cWIxuib3lq
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) February 14, 2021
Newcastle fans react to Edwards message on Vilca report
Many Newcastle fans were in agreement with Edwards’ assessment here, with one dubbing it “spot on”, and they also believe that Vilca will struggle to establish himself at St James’ Park. Some were focusing more on the overall lack of planning and direction among the club’s hierarchy.
You can’t mention Steve Nickson without mentioning Joelinton either.
Scouted and spent 40million spent on a player who is no better than anyone in the Championship. Worrying to say the least.
— Tino's fur coat (@TinosFurCoat) February 14, 2021
If they stuck with Graham Carr, we would've actually recruited better players for the money spent. All of his top targets we didn't go for are in top clubs performing well..
— Akin (@A_sahin09) February 14, 2021
Valid points to be fair! Must be weird working for Newcastle atm, tho aren't most of the scouts still on furlough? They're gonna be left way behind if the takeover falls through in alot of areas
— HVH (@HoltzvonHoltzer) February 14, 2021
Agree, If we don’t get bought, there is no plan. They’ll talk about a project, but as always it’ll be fluff and end up being trying to swirl around the drain for as long as possible without dropping down 😫
Either need MA to get lucky and get the PIF takeover, or lower his price
— Matthew (@JB4t00n) February 14, 2021
Luke you called this spot on
— Anthony Edmendsfahey (@edmendsfahey1) February 14, 2021
Grumpy but correct
— Alex Scott (@1southst) February 14, 2021
There’s no way Ashley gets his valuation now. Club isn’t worth anywhere near that. Stadium is dropping to bits and squad is worth nothing. The only thing that holds any value is current PL status.
— Matt Smith (@Math_Smith) February 14, 2021
