Should this former Spurs flyer remain with Newcastle United?

Add as preferred source on Google

Andros Townsend is facing a big decision this summer as he will have options to move back to the Premier League, but his current club Newcastle United are desperate to keep him. If he was at any other relegated club, the decision would be straight forward.

However, The Mapgpies are a huge entity and things are beginning to improve at the club. It has been poorly run, with unambitious managerial appointments and a failing recruitment strategy.

Embed from Getty Images

The appointment of Rafael Benitez is a game-changer though, as he is arguably one of the best managers in the world, and it is a coup that the club have managed to persuade him to stay, despite their relegation to England’s second tier.

The supporters are engaged with the club again with the future looking bright, and it is easy to see why Townsend may be tempted to stay around.

The Guardian reported that Crystal Palace would be ready to activate the £10.5 million release clause in his contract for clubs that finished in the bottom half. It would allow the winger to move back to London; having enjoyed much of his time in the capital with Tottenham Hotspur, which could appeal and his England chances would be enhanced. However, Townsend needs to consider the quality in coaching.

If he moved to Selhurst Park, his manager would be Alan Pardew and although he is one of the best British coaches around at the moment, he does struggle to get the best out of flair players, best showed by his disappointing management of Hatem Ben Arfa.

The Frenchman was poorly coached by the former man a the helm of West Ham United, and has since gone on to better things. Meanwhile, Townsend has already progressed a great deal under Benitez and it would be expected that would continue.

Furthermore, he has to consider his long term future in the game, in addition to the short term gains of a move straight back to the Premier League. The future at Newcastle United looks bright and if Benitez sees out his contract, it is difficult to see the Toon not being a top half Premier League club, pushing for European qualification and challenging in the domestic cups in the not too distant future. This would place Andros Townsend back on a comparable to the kind of pedestal which he enjoyed when in flying form for Tottenham Hotspur.

Embed from Getty Images

If he is to move back to the Premier League this summer, he needs to make sure the club he is moving to has ambitions to progress. Palace regressed this season and Townsend could be competing with Wilfried Zaha and Yannick Bolasie for a starting berth.

The Chronicle have reported that Townsend wants to remain at St James’ Park to continue working with Rafa Benitez, but that he is not ruling out a move to the Premier League if he receives an offer that excites him. This is a wise stance from Townsend, as his options remain open.

He is involved in an exciting project at Newcastle and there aren’t many Premier League clubs that can compete with that. The article credits West Ham United and Southampton with an interest in the winger, and these would be the types of clubs that appeal to the England winger. Both have European football in their favour next term and look to have bright futures ahead.

The coming months will be interesting to watch, as Townsend does have a big decision to make. His move to Newcastle United has made him relevant again after a disappointing last 12 months with Tottenham and it is easy to see why a move back to the Premier League would be beneficial, especially in terms of his international aspirations.

Embed from Getty Images

A year in the Championship is far from ideal for any footballer with the talent that the winger possesses, but The Magpies will have a strong squad next year and will be overwhelming favourites to lift the division title. In 12 months’ time, they could be back in the Premier League with an ambitious manager, who knows how to deliver success.

It is a difficult decision, and his next move will tell us a lot about Townsend’s career path.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by NewcastleUnited