Amar Dedic has made a cracking start at Newcastle and he’s already created a problem that nobody was really expecting.
Signed from Benfica for around £30m, Dedic looked like a sensible answer to Newcastle’s shortage at right-back. Two games in, though, and he looks like he might be more than just cover.
His debut against Liverpool was impressive but the West Brom cup game really caught the eye. Two assists, plenty of attacking threat and a willingness to get forward that fits perfectly with what Matthias Jaissle seems to want from his full-backs.
And that leaves Tino Livramento with a bit of a headache.
Nobody is forgetting how good Livramento can be. He’s quick, technically excellent and a very good defender, but he’s had his injury problems and Amar Dedic has immediately shown Newcastle United another dimension going forward.
It’s far too early to talk about selling Tino Livramento, obviously.
Amar Dedic has played about five minutes before some fans start planning his statue outside the Gallowgate. But if he keeps performing like this, Newcastle United may have a genuine decision to make next summer.
Would it make more sense to cash in on Livramento while his value remains high and bring in a dependable, experienced back-up for Dedic?
There’s a strong argument for it.
You could have Amar Dedic as the clear first choice, with a solid squad player capable of covering 15-20 games, rather than having two expensive young right-backs competing for the same position.
That’s a conversation though for next summer.
For now, Livramento needs to get fit and try to win his place back.
For once, Newcastle United have a selection problem because they’ve actually signed someone bloody good. We’ll take that.
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