---
title: "Atsu’s Newcastle exit hasn’t gone to plan"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/25/christian-atsus-newcastle-united-exit-hasnt-gone-to-plan/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2022-03-25T18:26:54Z"
modified: "2022-03-25T18:26:55Z"
---

# Atsu’s Newcastle exit hasn’t gone to plan

Christian Atsu was released by Newcastle United last summer and made the surprise decision to [join](https://www.goal.com/en/news/christian-atsu-ghana-winger-joins-saudi-club-al-raed/1p600v7d94d8u1k52ru3ruvc5j) Al-Raed on a two-year deal, but his switch to the Saudi Professional League hasn’t gone to plan.

The 30-year-old, who has [played for](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/christian-atsu/transfers/spieler/186997) FC Porto, Chelsea, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga, has struggled for form, fitness and playing time at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, raising uncertainty over his long-term future.

Atsu has made [8/25 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/christian-atsu/leistungsdaten/spieler/186997) for Al-Raed, notching just one assist. He’s yet to score for his new club and has amassing only 404 minutes of playing time from a possible 2250.

The Ghanian international, who has 10 goals and nine assists from [64 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/christian-atsu/nationalmannschaft/spieler/186997) for his country, has spent most of the season sidelined with a [knee injury](https://www.kickgh.com/more/ghanaians-abroad/16541-christian-atsu-returns-to-action-for-al-raed-after-four-month-injury-layoff) but recently returned to the fray.

Atsu has been a bad omen for Al-Raed, winning only 1/8 games he’s played in (12.5%) and Raed Al Tahadi aren’t having the best [season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/professional-league/startseite/wettbewerb/SA1) – they sit closer to the relegation zone (four points) than the top-five (13 points).

Whether the 30-year-old stays at Al-Raed for another season remains to be seen, as he’s not lived up to his hype.

***[In other news, Paul Robinson says Newcastle should only sign ‘phenomenal talent’ to bolster backline](https://readnewcastle.com/2022/03/25/paul-robinson-says-newcastle-should-only-sign-phenomenal-talent/)***