We have been approached for Santon by AS Roma

Don't know if anyone had seen this. AS Roma had made an approach for Santon however Newcastle have refused to let them speak to him. I don't know if they will keep pursuing him or not. Although it's encouraging that he claims he is settled and has no plans to move (i realise every player says this) however if he were to go how much would we demand for him, imo he looks like he could progress to be one of the best Right Back's in the league if not Europe. He has also revealed that Pardew has told him that he wants Santon to play on the right next season. What this means for Debuchy I don't know? He could possibly play as a winger in a 4-4-2 with his attacking qualities however i would prefer to keep a similar set up to the season just gone. What do you all make of this http://www.football-italia.net/20872/newcastle-denied-roma-santon-talks the stuff about playing right back isn't in this particular link

 

We can't sell him, simple as. We need to be buying at least 2 more players to cover that position as it is. We don't need to be getting rid.

He's got work to do, but he's a very talented player.

I'd sell him for no less than 20m, so we can definitely get Debuchy, and get another fullback, plus a player than can play fullback in an emergency.

 

I really don't want to sell him now or in the future. Think he has the makings of a cracking player. I just worry that if we sign Debuchy which I think we are now expecting to happen and then we sign a 1st team left back. will Santon be happy flittering in and out of the side to give the starters a rest, I know he would still get a lot of games but for his development I don't want him coming on at 70mins, etc. I'm hoping that he still plays left back and Debuchy plays on the right. Then buy Anita to offer cover.

 

£20m would put him out of the market to all teams. Be good to hang onto what we've got and add a decent player or two to get through what's going to be a long hard season.

 

That's the point. We should only allow our best players/prospects to go for ridiculous prices that could be used to improve our team significantly.

Selling him for what he's worth or a little bit more, would just be silly.

We need the talent, we don't need the money unless it's a significant amount.

 

19.9m

 

Santon is and will be for the foreseeable future, our first choice LB.

 

Let's hope so after a slow start he was really starting to look the part towards the end of last season.

 

Don't understand this about a "slow start". And I really don't understand these pathetic twitter comments about him not developing.

He's showed so much class from the moment he stepped foot inside SJP. Superb pace, great skill, great going forward, he can get us forward for an attack and assist.

He can tackle well, and has good strength and aerial presence for a fullback.

The only thing that was ever off was his ability to read certain balls, but that's due to the fact that he's only ****ing 21 years old! And he's in a whole new league.

And he's never been 1st choice fullback before.

For his age and his experience, he's been fantastic, apart from the odd game where he's been totally out of his league.

He's much better than what Coloccini, Jonas and Enrique were after this amount of time, and he's far younger.

Not having a go at you cbra, just everyone that criticises the lad or says he's made a slow start, or says he hasn't developed quick enough.

 

Santon needs to be played at RB to get the best out of him.

 

After all that rage you've admitted he got off to a slow start. Its not a criticism, its just what happens to most players (Tiote and Cabaye excepted seemingly) entering the Premier League. Wasn't Enrique about the same age?

 

Why? His style of play won't change whichever side he plays on as he'll always cut in. The advantage of him on the left is when he cuts in he can shoot with his strong foot.

 

Rep

 

That mentality means only the likes of Citeh, Chelski + Manure could ever afford decent players. It's why we've been priced out of bidding for De Jong. Twente want to keep him or get a shed load of money.

I'm sure every club wants to hold on to assets or demand way over the odds - but sometimes it isn't just about that. If a top Italian side came knocking, Santon might want to go. Why not go 'home' for a big club, on probably higher wages - and where he'll be noticed more by the international manager.

And once a player's head has been turned, they're best off out. It's not just about us saying "He can't leave unless you give us £20m" (or whatever sum). The truth is, after what we paid for him, if they offer £8m and he wants to leave, Mike will still see it as good business. Of course i'd rather he stays, but what I want means nothing.

 

Playing on the right will probably bring the best out in him defensively.

 

He has to make a counter argument though, even if there is no counter argument to be made, he just likes the tapping sound his keyboard makes.

 

Encouraging to hear he'll move into his natural role next season. We don't want to be selling this lad. I think he'll develop into one of the best about. All class and only operates at about 80% on the left. When I've seen him play right for 21's and Inter he looked top class. Much better going forward and much more comfortable defensive positioning wise. I like Simpson but it was inevitable when we signed Santon that he would eventually shift over.

Roma are a big club but I think the lad looks happy and I don't think we'll sell.

 

To be fair, I agree with both Tash and Cbraa - Santon started reasonably well for a youngster who only has experience of Italian football. Had it not been for some incredible performances from the likes of Cisse, Cabaye and Ben Arfa, I think we'd be far more excited than Santon than we already are. I couldn't believe it when we were linked, let alone signed him...Whilst it was a slow start in comparison to others, there's very little more we could've asked from him realistically. Tash is right that a lot of criticism is WAY over the top!

I'd prefer to play him on the right, because, whilst it looks impressive cutting in onto his right, he doesn't score many and we are one of the lowest crossing teams in the Premier League - with Cisse and Ba in the middle and with plenty of confidence, you'd want to be pinging balls in as often as possible. Ben Arfa on the right can cut in, Santon can play early crosses...Let's not forget that Gutierrez is also right footed and tends to cut in, instead of crossing. Having 2 fulls back on their natural sides would add far more to the team than 4 wide players all looking to cut inside!

Finally, I don't think he'd move back to Italy regardless of who comes knocking, not yet at least - lets not forget who we signed him from...One of the biggest clubs on the planet, if he chose to leave them for first team football, why would he go back if its not guaranteed?

 

Which criticism? All I've ever seen is a few questions about individual errors where Coloccinis had to come across and help out, but thats always balanced by the acknowledgement he's just coming into the league. I think its important not to confuse a critique with writing off a player before he starts, football forums would be a very dull place if all we could do was shower players with praise. I'm delighted he's a Newcastle United player and he'll undoubtably be a top top player, but that doesn't mean we have to pretend any mistakes haven't actually happened. The one thing vaguely worth reading in Tashs paragraphs of waffle was that he's started better than Jose Enrique which is absolutely true, but fans in general seemed to have learned that players do need time and thankfully we're a long way from the embarassing ironic applause of Coloccini four years ago.

 

I agree with everything in that paragraph. I saw a fair bit of criticism on twitter. Granted, a lot of it was simply retweeted by sound-minded fans who were showing the ridiculousness of it all, but it was there none the less.