Mo Diame deserves a new deal at Newcastle United
According to the Chronicle Live, Newcastle United star, Mo Diame is edging closer to triggering a one-year contract extension at St. James’ Park which will see him continue at Tyneside for another season.
The same report claims that the Magpies are willing to grant him the extension, although Diame would like a longer deal to extend his stay until 2021.
The 31-year-old midfield maestro, who joined Newcastle from Hull City back in 2016 for a fee of around £4million, has established himself as one of the mainstays of the first-team under Rafael Benitez. The former Senegalese international has accumulated 8 goals and 3 assists from 96 appearances for the Magpies across all competitions.
Diame has started on 21 occasions for Newcastle in the Premier League this term, with Benitez preferring the veteran alongside Jonjo Shelvey or Isaac Hayden in central midfield.
The 31-year-old started his professional career at Lens in France and furthered his development at Spanish club Rayo Vallecano before making his move to the Premier League with Wigan Athletic in 2009. Following Wigan’s relegation to the Championship in 2012, Diame spent a couple of seasons each at West Ham and Hull City before signing for Newcastle in 2016. The Senegalese ace has earned the status of a seasoned campaigner in the Premier League, having racked up a mammoth 232 appearances for the likes of Wigan, West Ham, Hull City and Newcastle.
Diame has been one of Newcastle’s most consistent performers in what has been a largely turbulent season so far. The veteran has added steel to the midfield and has broken up the play with his work rate, tackles and interceptions, whilst also allowing the others around him to make an impact going forward. The 31-year-old averages 27.5 passes per game with an accuracy percentage of 75.7, including 2.9 tackles and 1 interception per game in the Premier League this term, figures which are quite impressive considering Newcastle’s defensive approach.
Suffice to say, he is one of the most experienced and efficient players at the club right now and Newcastle should do everything in their power to hold on to him. Granted, he doesn’t offer much in terms of attack but his physicality, tough-tackling nature and ball distribution are invaluable assets to a mid-table team like Newcastle.
Newcastle are currently well-stocked in the central midfield department. Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff and Jonjo Shelvey are all decent options and it is important for the Magpies to build a team for the future. While an experienced head like Diame can bring that calming influence to the midfield, his presence in the foreseeable future will also allow Newcastle to build a team around him.
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That said, they should not hesitate to extend Diame’s contract to keep him at the club as he still has a lot to offer at the highest level.
