Newcastle United scouting solid Ligue 1 fullback: Right move by Bruce?

Newcastle United seem to have finally woken up in the transfer window ahead of the 2019-20 season, and after signing striker Joelinton, the Magpies are interested in signing more players in other positions.

The Premier League side, who appointed Steve Bruce as their new manager, are now linked with French side Amiens’ Swedish right-back, Emil Krafth. A report in Chronicle Live states that Newcastle scouts watched him during Amiens’ match against Hull City, which the French side won 2-0.

Krafth has been with the French club since last season, initially joining them on loan from Italian club Bologna, before making his deal a permanent one recently for £1.8 million. He had played three seasons at the Italian club since signing for them from Helsingborgs in 2105. His contract with Amiens expires in 2022, having signed a three-year deal with the club.

The fullback made 36 appearances for the French club last season, of which 34 were starts.

Should Newcastle United make a move for him?

Newcastle United need to add more quality players to the squad to bring competition for places, while also replace existing players who are underperforming. The Magpies have a solid right-back in US international DeAndre Yedlin, who has progressed very well since signing for them in 2016. The Premier League club also have Javier Manquillo who can play at right-back and is a useful backup player for Yedlin.

Manager Steve Bruce can also call upon 23-year-old English right-back Jamie Sterry, who impressed for the Magpies in the Asia pre-season tour, who could perhaps play a role in the 2019-20 season.

Krafth is not an attacking, modern-day full-back, who likes to bomb up and down the right flank, but is rather a player who is solid, dependable and defends before attacking. In the 2018-19 season for Amiens, Krafth averaged 1.6 tackles per game, while also racking up an average of 2.3 clearances. His passing and crossing are not up to the mark which could prompt Newcastle to look elsewhere.

He also wouldn’t fit in a 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation that Rafa Benitez played last season and which Steve Bruce could use this season as well, as he doesn’t have the attacking intent to fill that role.