Newcastle United

Liam Kennedy convinced Axel Tuanzebe would’ve been a good signing for Newcastle

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Image for Liam Kennedy convinced Axel Tuanzebe would’ve been a good signing for Newcastle

Aston Villa loanee Axel Tuanzebe would have been a good addition to Newcastle United’s squad, claims Shields Gazette journalist Liam Kennedy.

Tuanzebe recently joined Villa on loan from parent club Manchester United but had been linked with a move to Newcastle beforehand.

The Telegraph reported last month that Newcastle were making a real push to sign the 23-year-old defender as United closed in on Raphael Varane.

Disappointed to miss out on Tuanzebe?

Yes

Yes

Not really

Not really

It was not to be, though, with Tuanzebe instead heading to Villa for his third loan spell at Villa Park. And for Kennedy, the United academy graduate is one that got away, suggesting Newcastle really needed a centre-back of his profile.

“I think he would’ve been a good option,” the Newcastle journalist told TIF. “Newcastle United need to revamp that defence.

“As a group, they [the current crop of centre-backs] are a pretty solid unit. But one thing that they don’t have in that unit is pace. They have absolutely no pace and I think when you play the three, you need somebody to have pace.”

Tuanzebe obviously has that connection to Villa having played there previously, but you would have to question if he is going to get regular starts ahead of Tyrone Mings and and Ezri Konsa.

With Newcastle often using a back three/five last season, in terms of game time, joining the Magpies looked like a safer bet.

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