Will Newcastle United look to make any of their loan players permanent signings? Jetro Willems, Nabil Bentaleb, Valentino Lazaro & Danny Rose assessed

Newcastle United have a loan dilemma on their hands - and that's not even getting into the prospect of extensions to accommodate summer football.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Jamaal Lascelles and Nabil Bentaleb of Newcastle United embrace during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Norwich City at St. James Park on February 01, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Jamaal Lascelles and Nabil Bentaleb of Newcastle United embrace during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Norwich City at St. James Park on February 01, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Jamaal Lascelles and Nabil Bentaleb of Newcastle United embrace during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Norwich City at St. James Park on February 01, 2020 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

The Magpies had FOUR loan players at St James's Park this season, three of whom are still on Steve Bruce's 25-man Premier League squad list.

But what will the future hold for them? Have any of the four - Jetro Willems, Nabil Bentaleb, Valentino Lazaro and Danny Rose - done enough to get a permanent stay on Tyneside, or would they even want it?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our Newcastle United writer Liam Kennedy takes a look at the loan foursome - and gives his decision on whether they're likely to remain on Tyneside beyond the end of the current campaign, whenever that may be.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Valentino Lazaro of Newcastle United battle for possession during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Valentino Lazaro of Newcastle United battle for possession during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and Valentino Lazaro of Newcastle United battle for possession during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on February 16, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

JETRO WILLEMS - loan deal from Eintracht Frankfurt

Newcastle tracked the Netherlands international for years before finally getting a loan deal over the line.

And after a slow start he really picked up, bursting on the scene with a sharp chop back and crack home at Anfield against champions-in-waiting Liverpool.

Another goal against Manchester City in the dramatic draw further underlined his quality in the final third, with plenty of positive performances before, after and in-between.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The big issue with Willems is the nature of his injury. Being brutally honest, it sounds like the worst possible kind for a footballer - posterior and anterior cruciate damage as well as a whole host of other knee issues.

This is the kind of injury which finished careers 30 years ago and continues to severely limit careers to this date.

United had a fee in the region of £10million lined as a summer move for Willems, but this problem, which could see him miss another eight to nine months, could mean this one is shelved.

You get the feeling we have not seen the end of Willems at United, but what kind of Willems that may be is a whole different story.

NABIL BENTALEB - loan deal from Schalke 04

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While Willems is complicated, this one, if looked at from a purely football perspective is far from it.

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Bentaleb has added very little to the Magpies' midfield. In fact, there's an argument to say he's made it worse.

He looked like a player who had not kicked a ball for a year when he turned up, and has done little to show any significant sign of improvement.

By no means am I not saying there is not a good player in there, but Newcastle did not see it. All they saw was someone who gifted the ball to the opposition on far too many occasions and sat so deep he may as well have been in the back three/four.

VALENTINO LAZARO - loan deal from Inter Milan

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There are two strands to this loan - and to be honest, that's the most disappointing thing about it.

United played a back three with wing-backs when he arrived but a 4-2-3-1 when he left.

Operating as right wing-back he did not look comfortable and his frustrations got the better of him as he was red-carded at Crystal Palace in an abject show for the Magpies.

After his suspension Lazaro scored and shone at West Brom in the FA Cup playing on the right of a three behind Joelinton. It was clear to see, that's his best position.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But, unfortunately for him, we have not seen anywhere near enough quality to say he'd be worth a punt in the summer, priced at least around £20million.

There's no smoke without fire, and the noises won't seem to go away that Lazaro does not see his future at NUFC. We will have to wait and see on this one.

DANNY ROSE - loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur

The full-back came in after Willems and Paul Dummett were ruled out for the season.

And while his performances were far from stand-out, they were solid enough, I suppose.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

I mean you wouldn't break the bank to sign him, but looked OK in black and white.

Much better in the four-man backline.

If you rank Willems against Rose, the Netherlands international wins hands down, but he played a lot more games and had a lot more time to settle.

Rose still has England ambitions and will be looking for a new club, whenever football kicks off again, with Spurs boss Jose Mourinho no fan of the ex-Leeds United player.

Would Newcastle pay a big fee for Rose, no. Would they match his Spurs wage, doubt that very much, too. But should they be offered Rose on the cheap, and he was willing to take a significant cut, this might get done.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Still, you have to remember, this does not, and never will, fit with Mike Ashley's Newcastle United blueprint - and when the trading opens up again there's likely to be younger, fresher models on the forecourt.