Chris Waugh, who reports on Newcastle United for The Athletic, caught the attention of some Toon supporters recently after he posted a tweet discussing Newcastle’s alleged interest in signing Queens Park Rangers attacker Eberechi Eze.
Eze enjoyed a positive 2019/20 campaign in England’s second-tier. He scored 14 goals and provided eight assists in the Championship, earning a stellar overall rating of 7.36 from his 46 appearances in England’s second-tier, as per WhoScored. This made him the third-highest-rated player to have made more than the average number of appearances in England’s second tier last season according to the stats website.
Waugh recently took to Twitter to share that the 22-year-old QPR man is a player that Toon boss Steve Bruce ‘rates highly.’ The journalist’s tweet also included a link to an article that he and Alex Stewart wrote for The Athletic earlier this month, in which it is claimed that Eze is ‘understood to be a player of interest’ for the Toon.
After Waugh posted this tweet, plenty of Newcastle supporters replied to his post to share their thoughts on this claim.
Eberechi Eze is a player Steve Bruce rates highly & #NUFC's scouts have watched regularly. @TheAthleticUK mentioned Newcastle's interest in this "sensible transfers" collaboration with @TifoFootball_ last weekhttps://t.co/ypTnt0WBWW https://t.co/yBPBBAIuYu
— Chris Waugh (@ChrisDHWaugh) August 10, 2020
Some Newcastle fans were hesitant to get too excited about the possibility of their club signing Eze, with some Toon supporters sharing some doubt over the likelihood that the player will want to leave London to move to the North East and one particular Newcastle supporter sharing some doubt over whether or not the player is currently ready to compete in England’s top flight.
The problem is London would he travel imagine him and max together be unreal man
— spenny mag ???????? (@ste71) August 10, 2020
Just guess but would imagine he’d rather stay in London… #NUFC
— James Knowlson (@jimknowlson) August 10, 2020
Hes very very raw. Very high ceiling though but If funds are tight, with what he’ll cost im not sure it’d be prudent, hes not exactly a for now premier league player.
— HVH (@HolzvonHolzer) August 10, 2020
However, some Newcastle fans replied to this post to share that they would like to see Eze move to St. James’ Park.
Would Eze be a good signing for Newcastle United?
YES
NO
We need to stop dithering and get deals like this done, he is a fantastic talent
— Dayle (@DayleBarron) August 10, 2020
#nufc pleaseee! https://t.co/lWn7BPHD95
— Dean Dodds (@DeanDodds2) August 10, 2020
I rate Eze highly tbh
— Liam (@LiamNUFC98) August 10, 2020
Considering that he was one of the best players in England’s second tier last season, according to WhoScored, it might be understandable why some Toon supporters replied to Waugh’s tweet to share that they would like to see their club make a move for the 22-year-old attacker.
However, Eze has been linked with a move to other clubs such as Crystal Palace and West Ham United this summer, so it looks as though Newcastle will face some top-flight competition for the player’s signature if they do want to sign him.