Mo Diame’s time at St James’ Park has been full of peaks and troughs. He didn’t start last season very well but was one of the best central midfielders in the league during the second half of the campaign.
There was one stat going around that he had made even more tackles than N’Golo Kante, and there’s no doubt he was integral in us finishing tenth.
However, again, at the start of this season, his form has dropped off. Some have called on Rafa Benitez to bench the 31-year-old in favour of new signing Ki Sung Yueng. When I asked fans about whether we should drop the Senegalese midfielder, two-thirds said we should:
For me, it depends on the game. Diame’s physicality and ability to outmuscle opponents off the ball will be needed against some of the more direct teams in the league. However, in possession Ki would almost certainly be the best choice.
I’m not sure Rafa will give the Korean his debut against Chelsea on Sunday, but his first appearance can’t be too far off.