Newcastle should axe struggling midfielder Mohamed Diame

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Newcastle United midfielder Mohamed Diame has played every minute in the Premier League so far this season, but manager Rafael Benitez shouldn’t stand by him any longer and consider dropping him from the starting XI.

The 31-year-old powerhouse had an important role to play in the club’s top-flight survival last season and was colossal at St James’ Park.

But this season the Senegalese enforcer is failing to have the same impact in fixtures, as he’s going missing during matches and offering very little going forward.

Diame’s form has been lousy in the last three Premier League games, where the North East club have lost to Brighton, Manchester United and Leicester City.

The midfielder provided no spark at the weekend in the loss to Brighton and isn’t justifying his position in the side, while he was also walked over against Leicester.

He was even off the pace in one of Newcastle’s better performances against Man United and he conceded a free-kick that Juan Mata stuck away to spark a comeback win.

Newcastle are still searching for their first win this season and Benitez needs to get a result when his side face Southampton away at the weekend.

Diame’s position has to come under serious threat and it may be worth either Isaac Hayden or Ki Sung-Yueng getting an opportunity ahead of him.