Is Eddie Howe on the right lines with his interest in teenage forward Hugo Ekitike?
What’s the story?
Northern Football Writer for The Telegraph, Luke Edwards has hinted that Newcastle United are looking to re-ignite their interest in the 19 year-old Frenchman, despite the initial attempt to sign the teenager in January collapsing on deadline day.
Edwards wrote: “Newcastle are also planning to make another attempt to sign the exciting young French forward Hugo Ekitike, after a move for the 19-year-old collapsed on deadline day in January.
A transfer, worth an initial £12m to Reims, had been agreed with his club, but the teenager was reluctant to make the switch to England having only recently broken into the first team.”
The youngster has since been able to apply his trade and get some much needed first team experience at Reims, which may be a factor in the renewed interest from the Magpies.
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Whilst the France Under 21 international has been impressive in his first full season with Reims, he is still somewhat of an unknown entity as a centre forward.
Ekitike has managed to contribute 9 goals and 3 assists in 21 games in his first full season as a consistent first team squad player in France’s top division. However, having only made his senior debut in December 2020, he is still very much a raw talent in European football.
According to Peter Munnelly of Scouted Football, Ekitike main strengths include, “Movement in behind, movement in the box and change of speed.” He also claimed: “As the season has progressed, he’s increased the potency of his threat against defences through the increase in focus on runs in behind.”
Whilst on the face of it, these are ticking all the right boxes in terms of the qualities a Premier League quality striker should have, his lack of professional match practice is something which should be taken into consideration.
Whilst Ekitike’s impressive stats provide some evidence that he would improve Newcastle’s frontline, with the youngster scoring more goals and averaging less minutes per goal than every Newcastle player this season, his lack of willingness to make the move to Tyneside earlier this year would suggest that the idea he is ready to lead the line for a Premier League club is questionable.
The additions of Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier in January provided a clear indication of the types of experienced players Eddie Howe is looking to bring to the club and whilst Ekitike is certainly one for the future, the collapsed January move may have been a blessing in disguise for all parties.
Piece written as part of a trial for Snack Media on April 25 2022