Isaac Hayden is reportedly unsettled at the moment, according to The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, and if he pushes for a move away only one man would be to blame – Steve Bruce.
The midfielder has previously expressed his unhappiness at being at the club, and even last summer held doubts about his own future at the club.
His mind may have been elsewhere and therefore he could have moved on if a club made an approach, and that desire to leave may have been born out of a frustration at a lack of game time under Rafa Benitez.
Hayden made just 21 league starts in 2018/19, hence a thirst for a new challenge, but Steve Bruce managed to persuade him to stay by offering him a regular place in the side.
Would you be disappointed if Isaac Hayden left in the summer?
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The Magpies’ boss had made good on his promise for a period, too, starting the £9m-rated player on 23 occasions in the league, and it would have been more if Hayden hadn’t got sent off against Leicester.
However, since the arrival of Nabil Bentaleb on loan in January, the former Arsenal player has seen his role in the squad reduce somewhat.
Since the 21st of January, when the Algerian was brought in, Hayden has made just two starts in eight games, and therefore may be concerned by a lack of game time moving forward.
It is an understandable position for him to take, particularly as he had been effective in our defensive style this term, averaging two and 1.4 per league game.
However, if we – and Bruce – are looking to progress, then it may not be a bad idea to allow him to move on in the summer.
Arsene Wenger may have described him as “very intelligent and very good physically” during his time in North London, but he lacks the quality in attack to take us to the next level, which is a reason why we have scored a pitiful 25 goals in 29 league games.
Bruce must learn from this, though, and ensure he is able to maintain player happiness. The last thing we need is for one of our best players to feel the same way and angle for a move away.