Florian Thauvin: A Missed Opportunity for Newcastle United
During Mike Ashley’s tenure as owner of Newcastle United, the club made some questionable transfers. One of the most peculiar signings was Florian Thauvin, a talented winger from France. On paper, it seemed like a great move, considering the success the club had with French players like Hatem Ben Arfa, Yohan Cabaye, and Moussa Sissoko. However, Thauvin’s time on Tyneside turned out to be a shambles, serving as a warning to the club’s transfer team.
Thauvin arrived at Newcastle in 2015 for a fee of just £13 million. At the time, he was considered one of the brightest talents in France, and there was a lot of excitement surrounding his arrival. He made his debut in a 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford and showed promise in the following game against Arsenal. Thauvin then had a standout performance in a 4-1 win over Northampton Town in the League Cup, scoring an acrobatic volley and setting up three goals.
Despite these early glimpses of talent, Thauvin’s time at Newcastle quickly took a turn for the worse. In his next Premier League match, he showed up wearing a full tuxedo, which did not sit well with the fans or the club legend Alan Shearer. Newcastle lost 2-1 to Watford, and Shearer criticized Thauvin for his lack of professionalism. After this incident, Thauvin was benched and only started one more league game.
Newcastle found themselves in a relegation battle, and Thauvin was struggling to make an impact. In January 2016, he returned to Marseille on loan and never played for Newcastle again. He officially left the club in the summer of 2017. Reflecting on his time in Newcastle, Thauvin admitted that he felt his career was over during that period. He felt isolated and unsupported by the club, and he later acknowledged that the move to Tyneside happened too quickly after the departure of Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa.
However, Thauvin’s career took a dramatic turn once he returned to Marseille. He produced three incredible seasons, scoring an impressive 59 goals in all competitions. His performances earned him a spot in the French national team for the 2018 World Cup, where he won a winner’s medal, despite only playing in one match. Although he hasn’t played for Les Bleus since 2019, Thauvin’s success in France raises questions about what could have been if he had stayed at Newcastle under different circumstances.
Thauvin will be remembered as one of the missed opportunities during Mike Ashley’s tenure at Newcastle United. His time at the club serves as a cautionary tale for the current transfer team. However, it’s important to note that Newcastle has undergone significant changes since Thauvin’s departure, and they have yet to make a major mistake in the transfer market. If the club decides to recruit Rayan Cherki, it is because they believe in his potential and have learned from past experiences.
In conclusion, Florian Thauvin’s signing was a peculiar one for Newcastle United. Despite showing early promise, his time at the club was marred by controversy and lack of support. However, his subsequent success in France raises questions about what could have been if circumstances had been different. Thauvin will be remembered as one of the missed opportunities during Mike Ashley’s tenure, but Newcastle has since made improvements in their transfer strategy.