OPINION
Rafa Benitez must enter the transfer market this week for defensive reinforcements after two of his Newcastle defenders hobbled off the pitch at St. James’ Park against Tottenham.
Paul Dummett lasted just eight minutes before suffering a hamstring during the 2-0 loss, before new signing Florian Lejeune was substituted before half time with a foot injury after a tackle from Harry Kane.
Shields Gazette journalist Liam Kennedy revealed on his personal Twitter account that Lejeune had left St. James’ Park on crutches and wearing protective boot, which will come as a huge blow to Benitez.
Florian Lejeune has just hobbled out of SJP on crutches, wearing a protective boot #NUFC
— Liam Kennedy (@LiamJKennedy23) August 13, 2017
New defenders are desperately needed. Just across from St. James’ Park in the north east, Middlesbrough are reportedly in talks to sign Ingolstadt stopper Marcel Tisserand and Benitez should hijack such a deal.
French newspaper L’Equipe claim Garry Monk’s Boro are in talks to sign the 24-year-old defender, who could be looking to leave the German club after they suffered relegation from the Bundesliga last season.
Tisserand, who joined Ingolstadt from Monaco last summer for £5million, was key to Ingolstadt’s fight against the drop, making 28 Bundesliga appearances throughout the 2016-17 season.
Newcastle must add a new central defender to their squad, after losing Lejeune while the loss of Dummett should see centre-back Ciaran Clark cover the Wales international on the left.
That leaves just Chancel Mbemba and Jamaal Lascelles as Benitez’s centre-back options, with Grant Hanley unlikely to be recalled to the side with his future still up in the air.
Known for his pace at the back, Tisserand is equally adept at being able to read an attacker’s next move and is more than willing to put his body on the line.
With three years remaining on his current contract, it remains to be seen how much Newcastle or Middlesbrough would have to pay for the 10-time Democratic Republic of Congo international would cost.
But if Benitez can strike a deal for around the same price that Ingolstadt paid Monaco, then owner Mike Ashley is likely to sanction a deal for the defender.
Speed, aerial prowess and the chance to get one over their rivals, Newcastle would solve their problem area at centre-back by luring Tisserand to St. James’ Park.