There’s nothing quite like the anticipation of seeing a new signing in action, or seeing a promising academy graduate given an opportunity in the first-team.
However, sometimes this anticipation can fall flat with players simply unable to live up to the hype surrounding them.
From big money moves, to World Cup winners and academy shining lights – Newcastle have had their fair share of players that, for one reason or another, flopped when in the first-team.
Here, we have listed 12 players who promised much at Newcastle, but ended up being a ‘flop’.
Have we missed anyone out? What do you think of our picks?
Let us know on Twitter @MouthofTynePod and have a look at some of our other picks for our ‘NUFC Cult-Hero XI’ or a look at ‘where the players to depart Newcastle this summer are now’.
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5. Florian Thauvin
Newcastle clearly had not learned from their unsuccessful decision to bring in Remy Cabella as they moved for Thauvin a season later. Thauvin’s failures at Newcastle were only accentuated by his great career at Marseille when he departed and his World Cup winner’s medal which he picked up in 2018. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster
6. Claudio Cacapa
Before joining Newcastle, the Brazilian had captained Lyon to five straight Ligue 1 titles. He joined Newcastle on a free in summer 2007 but suffered the embarrassment of being subbed after just 18 minutes during Newcastle’s 4-1 defeat to Portsmouth. Injuries meant Cacapa never matched any success he had at Lyon whilst on Tyneside. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images) Photo: David Rogers
7. Albert Luque
Luque joined Newcastle after impressing against them for Deportivo La Coruna but his time at the club will possibly only be remembered for a goal against Sunderland. Spells at Ajax and Malaga followed for Luque before his retirement in 2011. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster
8. Jean-Alain Boumsong
Despite being available on a free just months earlier, Newcastle forked out £8m to bring the French centre-back to Tyneside. However, he could never impress on a consistent basis whilst at Newcastle and moved to Juventus 18-months later. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images) Photo: Christopher Lee