This rumour seems to have come right out of left field.
Our interest in the Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez is a mere footnote in the Evening Chronicle story which suggests that Porto are in pole position to land the Argentinian international. The Portuguese side would be able to offer Gutierrez Champions’ League football. While the article implies that the ball is very much in Newcastle’s court, is Gutierrez likely to stay at St. James’ Park or is any move for the player dependent on Newcastle’s valuation?
It’s the first I’ve seen or heard of any link with Gutierrez. He came tpo English football as a creative wide player, but failed to make a single assist in a Newcastle shirt all season. We didn’t see that ‘Superman’ celebration either if I recall correctly. Whilst he’d give us genuine width – something we’ve been sorely lacking – would he will be willing to put a good shift in and buy into Roy’s team ethic?
With Spurs interested as well, the likelihood is that he’ll end up elsewhere.
I think Jonas would fit in very well in Roy’s system, and have been saying as much all season. Very happy to track back, and he worked his socks off in every single game of the season. Many a decent player haven’t set St James’ Park alight, and it’s not as though his strikers were scoring for fun, or that other midfielders were creating much either.
If we can afford his wages as well as the fee, I think it’s worth a gamble.
A couple of things. Assist stats are overrated, they give far too much credence to whoever takes fee-kicks and corners.
Jonas did create chances at Newcastle but none of the vaunted strikers took them. He would fit very well with fulham, as said above he works very hard and would solve the left hand side (though he isn’t left footed, he plays there for Argentina.