What on earth is happening with Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba at Newcastle United?
Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure have played just 144 minutes of Premier League football this season.
Newcastle United spent £75million on two prospects who, three months into the season, remain very much on the fringes. It was an expensive - or “brave” as the St James’ Park shot-callers define - gamble that raises questions about the summer strategy.
Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba arrived on Tyneside with considerable promise and even bigger price tags. Yet neither have established themselves as a meaningful first-team option.
Bamba's omission from the matchday squad at Fulham was telling. After all, this is a player given the No.8 shirt at the start of the campaign. That suggested Newcastle envisaged a prominent role this season.
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As for Toure, he arrived from Hoffenheim as the more polished player after an impressive Bundesliga campaign. He registered 16 goal contributions across all competitions to place him firmly on Newcastle’s radar.
But just 117 Premier League minutes so far this season has evoked concern among supporters. In truth, Toure looks raw, but there is certainly something he can add to this toothless attack.
The 20-year-old has managed 1.6 successful dribbles per 90 minutes. For context, Harvey Barnes sits at 0.4. Toure’s expected goals and assists per 90 also stands at 0.51, considerably higher (0.29 per 90) than his experienced counterpart.
While the sample size is small, the numbers suggest Newcastle have an attacking talent for the future. The isse is the Magpies needing players for the present.
As for Bamba, his predicament is more pronounced. Just 27 minutes of Premier League action is likely not what he signed up for.
Neither signing should be written off. Their long-term potential could yet vindicate Newcastle's investment. But that does not absolve the club of criticism as to why £75million was spent on taking care of tomorrow.
The Magpies needed ready-made replacements for Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali. Other areas - namely at centre-back and No.10 - also require reinforcement. However, a hefty sum was committed to two players who, for now, do not improve the starting line-up.
Should Newcastle have recruited one more established performer to improve Jaissle’s team immediately? Absolutely.
When grilled about their lack of minutes, the German has urged for time. But if the manager is already preaching patience, Newcastle must ask whether they got their summer priorities right.
Toure and Bamba may eventually justify every penny. However, Newcastle needed more than potential in the summer. They needed instant quality - and £75million should have delivered that.
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