Newcastle loan Christian Atsu from Chelsea - Twitter Reacts

By Jake Jackman

Christian Atsu has joined Newcastle United on a season-long loan with an option to buy, becoming the club’s 12^th signing of the summer transfer window in the process. They have shaken up their squad as they attempt to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt. This is likely to be the last incoming at St James’ Park, but it is one that should excite supporters.

He has been signed to provide competition in the wide positions after the injury to Rolando Aarons. The squad looked short of options, which forced Rafa Benitez into the market. Matt Ritchie and Yoan Gouffran were the players that started against Brighton at the weekend, but Atsu brings different qualities to the squad.

The Ghanaian international has a lot of pace and looks to run at defenders, which will make him popular among Newcastle fans. Although Gouffran is a hard working player defensively, he doesn’t have the flair to beat players and create chances for the team. Atsu has this in abundance and his direct style will be a welcome addition to the Newcastle squad.

He has been out on a variety of loans since joining Chelsea, but has failed to find a permanent home and he will hope that he can convince Newcastle to activate the option in his contract. His best spell came at Vitesse Arnham as he was voted the Player of the Year by supporters. This was one of the few times that he has been given the opportunity to play regularly and he thrived. Newcastle fans should be encouraged by this.

For his national team, Atsu has featured often and had a successful 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He managed to get nine shots away in three group stage matches, which highlights how direct he can be when given a role that suits him. His best performances often come for Ghana and he shone in the 2015 African Cup of Nations, contributing two goals and one assist in six matches.

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Although he is dropping down to the Championship, Atsu has a lot to prove and shouldn’t be complacent. He has the talent to stand out at this level, but his physicality has proven to be an issue in the past. He has failed to impress at either Everton or Bournemouth and this feels like his final chance to succeed in England. At Newcastle, he will be playing in one of the best teams in the division and it is the perfect platform to live up to his potential.

It is a good move by Newcastle as they are getting a player capable of growing with them. It is a new era under Rafa Benitez and they have ambitions of becoming a top ten side in the Premier League. Atsu can reach that level and Newcastle fans should be excited to watch him develop.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the news:

Newcastle fans are happy with the signing:

There are some that aren’t convinced by the deal:

Chelsea fans think they should sell the Ghanaian:

Atsu needs to start to prove himself after a disappointing few years:

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