Newcastle United have not found any consistency this season in the top flight under Rafa Benitez. They stand just a point off the drop zone and the Magpies need to find some winning form, to help retain their top-flight status. The manager is now looking to add fresh faces to the side, that can get them through the season and one name now on their radar is German star Andre Schurrle.
According to a story from the Daily Mail earlier this week, Borussia Dortmund, the parent club of the German attacker, are now offering the player on loan to clubs in England, and are also ready to pay half of his £150,000-a-week wages, to offload him before the deadline day this month.
The report also claims that Dortmund want to send him on an 18-month loan, attracting interest from Newcastle United and Stoke City. So is Schurrle a player Rafa should bring to St James’?
Schurrle and his decline
Having started his senior career at Mainz, Schurrle moved to England for the first time in 2013 with Chelsea, where he spent two years, winning the Premier League title in his second season at the club. However, he was shipped back to the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg the following summer, where he spent just over a year, before moving to Dortmund.
He did manage 10 goals in 43 league appearances at the Volkswagen Arena but was consigned to just 15 appearances in the following season at the Signal Iduna Park. He has made just two starts in the league this season, where he picked up an assist and is surplus to the requirements of Peter Stoger in Dortmund.
Known for his ability to play across the front line, Schurrle is an excellent finisher. His physical approach to the game, hold up play while in possession of the ball and the ability to create chances from the wing make him a dangerous player.
He likes to take on his man and is adept at finding space even in congested areas in and around the box, while his technique and calm head are hard for even the best of the defenders to handle.
At just 27, he has played in 195 Bundesliga games and is an experienced striker, who can well walk into most teams in England.
Chances at Tyneside
The Magpies have a decent unit that can beat teams on their days but it is quite evident that they need additions in a couple of positions, before they can compete with the best. While the midfield might need a bit of a re-jig, Rafa is in desperate need of a striker, who can improve their goal scoring record and Schurrle is a decent bet.
The likes of Joselu, Ayoze Perez and Dwight Gayle have not done enough to warrant a place in the first team and though the likes of Islam Slimani, Daniel Sturridge, Sandro Ramirez and Danny Ings have interested the manager, Schurrle and his qualities are better suited to his style of play. Taking him a loan, with decent wages, might just be the biggest coup for the Magpies this season.
