OPINION
Newcastle United has been a club of much change over the last seven years, but one thing which has stayed the same has been Rob Elliot’s place in the squad.
The shot stopper was a surprise signing from Charlton back in 2011, joining at a time when the likes of Tim Krul and Steve Harper were battling it out for a place in the starting XI, and unsurprisingly he found game time difficult to come by.
Since then he has gone on to make 68 outings for the Magpies in both the top flight and the Championship, and remains one of the longest standing servants to the club, with only homegrown lad Paul Dummett ahead of him in terms of length on Tyneside – although Elliot made his debut before the defender.
However, with Martin Dubravka’s arrival in January, Elliot, who had already been usurped by Karl Darlow, has fallen further down the pecking order and it seems as though Rafael Benitez is keen to give him the chance for the first team action he deserves – just not at Newcastle.
The Chronicle report that the Spanish boss is considering sending the experienced stopper out on loan in January to ensure he is playing regular football, although a temporary move away is also said to be on the cards for fellow keeper Freddie Woodman.
With no future left on Tyneside – Dubravka and Darlow the first choice senior pair and Woodman the hot prospect set to fill their gloves when the time is right – a loan does nothing for Elliot, and he must be demanding a transfer request away from St James’ Park for the good of his career.
At 32-years-old, a permanent move is best for him, and if he finds the right club it could be the final move he ever makes.
A loan does not offer him anything, especially not when it comes to his personal life, where he will be looking to settle down and have a permanent home rather than a temporary one.
He has been a great servant for the club but the time has come to leave, and if Benitez is not considering the sale of Elliot, then the shot stopper needs to force his manager’s hand.