In an exclusive interview with This is Futbol, Rob Lee, who is a Newcastle United Hall of Famer, admits he’s not sure if Matt Ritchie will be starting for the Magpies next season as it depends on their summer recruitment.
Ritchie reportedly had a huge bust-up with Steve Bruce earlier in the season but he has found himself back in the starting line up for the last five games, with the Magpies unbeaten across the first four of those before the 2-0 defeat against Arsenal on Sunday.
Could Ritchie start for Newcastle next season?
Yes!
No!
Steve Bruce brought in Jamal Lewis from Norwich City last summer for £15 million, however he has struggled to nail down the left-back spot and as a result, has found himself on the bench for the last seven games.
Speaking on why Ritchie’s future next season may be out of his hands and what he brings to the team when he does start, Lee told This is Futbol:
“It all depends on who comes in. Matt Ritchie is not a left-back and because of his size and stature teams will cause him problems, but what he does give you is something going the other way because he gets crosses in.
“It’ll depend on how much money Bruce or the new manager coming in has to spend and how they see that it, but I think Ritchie has come in and not set the world alight, but he’s done pretty well.”
The 31-year old winger was signed under Rafa Benitez when the Magpies were relegated to the Championship and since then he has made 165 appearances for the club.
Ritchie was linked with a move back to Bournemouth last January after being handed just six league starts during the first half of the season.