Newcastle United have recently been linked with a move for winger Mykhaylo Mudryk – which could have some big consequences for the club.
Indeed, according to a recent Tweet from Ben Jacobs, the Magpies are one of a number of clubs interested in signing the Ukrainian ahead of a possible January move.
With that in mind, TIF has decided to take a look at what it could all mean for the rest of the team should Newcastle sign the player.
Ryan Fraser in trouble?
Operating on the left wing so far this season, Mudryk has already shown his quality at the highest level. Indeed, in the Champions League so far he has scored twice in as many games for Shakhtar Donetsk.
Worryingly for Ryan Fraser, his Ukrainian counterpart plays in the same position. And so, if Mudryk did arrive they would be in direct competition for a place in Eddie Howe’s team.
This would likely spell bad news for the Scotland international as he has yet to score or even register an assist in any of his five Premier League matches so far.
Fraser is also seven years older than Mudryk and so this could be a sign that Howe is ready to refresh his attack with a younger option – as we’ve seen with the arrival of 22-year-old Alexander Isak.
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Elliot Anderson concern…
Talking of youngsters, 19-year-old Elliot Anderson could be another man looking on at these latest rumours with a little bit of fear.
Indeed, the teenager has played three times in the league for Newcastle, all off the bench, as he looks to break into the senior side this season.
However, as he also operates in a similar part of the pitch as Mudryk, the arrival of the Ukrainian could suddenly halt his potential path into the first team.
Playing on the left or in attacking midfield last term, Anderson impressed plenty while on loan with Bristol Rovers. However, while scoring eight goals in League 2 is one thing, it’s some way short of proving his ability to do it at the highest level as Mudryk has managed.
What’s more, if Anderson can’t get regular minutes at Newcastle soon, he could grow impatient and chase a move elsewhere.
TIF thoughts on Mykhaylo Mudryk and NUFC…
Taking everything into account, it’s fair to suggest that if Mudryk was to join Newcastle, he would probably come in and start ahead of the likes of Fraser and Anderson.
This could essentially put an end to Fraser’s long-term chances of succeeding with the club. As for Anderson, it certainly would prevent him from ever breaking into the first team on a regular basis, but it certainly could block his immediate path for consent minutes.
Still, football is about having the best players and so Howe may well just have to be ruthless when it comes to deciding on how to improve his side – even if that does disrupt a couple of careers