Newcastle Utd News

Bruce needs £5.4m-rated Newcastle man to repay faith after considered reveal – opinion

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Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu has admitted that he must perform at a higher standard than he managed against Burnley, after being shown renewed faith by head coach Steve Bruce.

Atsu had not started a Premier League game since the 5-0 thrashing away to Leicester City in September before earning a starting call at Turf Moor last Saturday, with the 27-year-old resigned to a strew of brief substitute outings in between.

Bruce had to consider his options beyond his previously favoured eleven for the Clarets encounter, as we lost £20million summer signing Allan Saint-Maximin until the New Year with a hamstring injury during our win over Southampton.

The boss would have been wishing he had Saint-Maximin on the field at Turf Moor over Atsu, as the 59-cap Ghana international spurned a golden chance to score when fed by Andy Carroll.

Atsu had been delighted to make his return to the starting line-up against Burnley, but knows that he has to perform at a higher standard if he is to retain his place while Saint-Maximin is out.

“I’m very happy to be back in the team,” said Atsu, via quotes by the Shields Gazette. “I haven’t had too many opportunities, but now I just need to keep going.

“This wasn’t the best game for me [against Burnley], but I’m looking forward to the games that are coming up now.”

Does Atsu deserve to start vs Palace on Saturday?

Yes

No

While Atsu has stated that he must do better in a considered reveal, we will need the Ghana winger to perform at a higher level throughout Saint-Maximin’s absence if Bruce continues to put his faith in the former Chelsea man.

Along with spurning a gilt-edged chance at Turf Moor, Atsu only managed to fashion one key ball as he completed 19 of 21 passes, while failing to record a shot, successful tackle, interception or clearance and could only complete one of his four attempted dribbles before being taken off in the 80th-minute, per WhoScored data.

In other Newcastle United news, the Toon have been credited with an interest in an £18million man likely set to be sold in January.

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