Bazoumana Toure & Aladji Bamba truth after Newcastle United snub v Millwall
Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba have played just 60 minutes combined since signing for Newcastle United.
Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has addressed Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba’s lack of game time.
The Magpies signed the pair for a combined £72million from Hoffenheim and Monaco, respectively, in the summer, but both have seen limited minutes at the start of the new season.
Toure’s only start so far came in the Carabao Cup second round win over West Bromwich Albion, where he scored but was replaced at half-time. He has made just one further appearance - a late substitute in the 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur.
Bamba, meanwhile, hasn’t featured since coming off the bench in the Premier League opening day draw at home to Liverpool.
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Bazoumana Toure & Aladji Bamba’s limited minutes explained
Asked by The Gazette about the duo’s lack of game time, Jaissle explained: “Bazou, it's really clear. He's a young lad, came as a new signing and he's doing a great job. You see the steps now in training, he's really committed.
“It's sometimes in football that if you have other players performing as well on a really high level, like Harvey [Barnes] at the moment, then you're getting a little bit less playing time. But we said that from the beginning, especially for the young lads and the new signings, that we give them time.
“It's the same with AB [Aladji Bamba] for instance. We're not pushing, especially not externally, pushing them in getting more minutes. It's normal progress and we're supporting them to getting there.”