Mikel Merino (now playing for Arsenal)

[louistoon]

He's definitely a risk, but one worth taking imo for 7 million. Would much rather a young player not content with sitting on the bench than a player like Samaris for much more, when we know he has his limitations.

[Skeletor]

Merino is a defensive midfielder with lots of engine - he just happens to not treat the ball like a hot potato. He seems a very Benítez player to me in that regard, but don't expect him to be a creative force. I'd expect him to be a Colback upgrade, provided he's successful in the league.

 

Colback not playing

[Stifler]

German football specialist on Talk Sport has just been saying how he's a good player, only didn't get into the Dortmund first team because the number of quality players they have above him. Says going to an English club and being coached by a Spanish manager like Rafa is the perfect outcome for him.

[steve_69]

German football specialist on Talk Sport has just been saying how he's a good player, only didn't get into the Dortmund first team because the number of quality players they have above him. Says going to an English club and being coached by a Spanish manager like Rafa is the perfect outcome for him.

 

and then one of the thick cunt presenters chirped in with 'but i still think Newcastle will go down' followed by 'why aren't English managers given a chance in the Premier League'?

[Mole_Toonfan]

German football specialist on Talk Sport has just been saying how he's a good player, only didn't get into the Dortmund first team because the number of quality players they have above him. Says going to an English club and being coached by a Spanish manager like Rafa is the perfect outcome for him.

 

and then one of the thick c*** presenters chirped in with 'but i still think Newcastle will go down' followed by 'why aren't English managers given a chance in the Premier League'?

 

Hope he responded " because they are shit mate ".

[Kanj]

Couldn't get ahead of Ginter, Guerreio or Castro...no shit those are all quality players and Merino is still finding his place and developing. Odd way to criticize someone.

[Guest]

They're not using that as a criticism though?

[Kanj]

They're not using that as a criticism though?

 

Fairly sure I've read some people concerned that he's shit because he couldn't get into the Dortmund team and wondering why he hadn't had many appearances for Dortmund in the league (and starting ones too)

[Guest]

Never seen that once mind.

[Kanj]

WELL THEN let it be known, that's why he's not been in the team, ok?

 

Fucker

[Mole_Toonfan]

Never seen that once mind.

 

A few have, very small minority mind. Most seem quite excited.

[prefabtoon]

It's quite feasible that the club would consider selling Colback if an offer came in. I can imagine a few Championship clubs being keen on him. We can only live in hope.

Loan him back to the makems he can witness their drop into the first division.

[Altamullan]

They're not using that as a criticism though?

 

Fairly sure I've read some people concerned that he's s*** because he couldn't get into the Dortmund team and wondering why he hadn't had many appearances for Dortmund in the league (and starting ones too)

You might mean this?

 

Fair point. But I'd be more enthusiastic if we were taking a player away from a Bundesliga first team (that they'd miss/have to replace) rather than one surplus to requirements/being offloaded. Doesn't mean he's s***. But if he has only been a starter in Segunda Division (not as strong as Championship) he kind of might be/less evidence he has what it takes for PL.

Not a criticism as such, if he's Rafa's choice that's good enough for me. Just, well, every player is a risk but having not played at the top level anywhere, he is more of a risk/doesn't get me that excited. That said, Aarons (could similarly say never really played at top level) does get me excited; because I have seen enough to believe he could be top class.

 

[Guest]

No one good's said that then.

[Kanj]

then leave it alone you weirdo

[Deuce]

[Guest]

Freak.

[Sho Time]

WUNDA WOT CHARNLEYS GUNNA DO TO FUK THIS ONE UP NOW LYK

[NG32]

WUNDA WOT CHARNLEYS GUNNA DO TO FUK THIS ONE UP NOW LYK

 

[Stifler]

Any chance of him being announced/unveiled at the talk in tonight?

[xLiaaamx]

Gunna walk in through the crowd and Slam Colback through a table.

[Altamullan]

Fucking charming.

[loki679]

Better have a few Stewarts to keep the crowd in check then.

[newsted]

Better have a few Stewart's to keep the crowd in check then.

 

There you go.

[Mr Logic]

I know a lot of you avoid the Chronicle site, so here's some more encouraging reading.

 

They breed them tough in Pamplona, the home of Spain’s famous bull run.

 

Away from the ballet of the Nou Camp or the relentlessness of the Bernabeu, CA Osasuna – the club of Navarre, a fiercely independent part of the Basque country – bounce between the top two divisions. But if the club struggles to go toe-to-toe with the muscle of Madrid or Barcelona, they can at least boast of a sprinkling of heavyweight products from ‘the Tajonar’ – the Academy system responsible for a string of uncompromising graduates.

 

World Cup winning midfielder Javi Martinez, the driving force of Bayern Munich, was schooled here before Athletic Bilbao took him at the age of 17. So too Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta. Hewn from the same culture – work hard, compete physically, play with drive and desire – Mikel Merino arrives in Newcastle with the potential to match any of those Academy peers.

 

At the age of 21, he is light on experience but rich in ability and – crucially – has the one thing that Rafa Benitez prizes above everything else: footballing intelligence.

 

When he arrived at St James’ Park, Benitez inherited a callow team that lacked the collective ability to respond to setbacks. Many – rightly – felt that this was a deficit of character and personality. The likes of Moussa Sissoko and Fabricio Coloccini, talented but fickle, lacked the fortitude to change the course of events in matches.

 

Benitez spent his first weeks in charge almost walking his team through games. There was a sense they could not be trusted to respond: it was why away games so often ran away from them.

So Benitez set about addressing this in his first summer in charge. In this second summer, the trend has continued. Merino has been targeted because Benitez sees a player who can read the game well above his tender years. To the physicality that is drilled into almost every Basque player, add intelligence that should give Newcastle the balance to play the way Benitez wants them to in the Premier League.

 

“He’s somebody who will help the team to retain possession,” David Cartlidge, a Spanish-based journalist who has seen plenty of Merino says.

 

Cartlidge watched him over the summer for Spain’s under-21 side and believes he is a smart buy with the potential to improve. The comparison with his fellow Osasuna graduate Martinez is an obvious one: both are tremendous athletes but with technique.

 

“He has the potential to go to the next level, most definitely. He can go far – maybe not to the absolute top but he’s got real ability,” Cartlidge says. He sees similarities with Ander Herrera, Manchester United’s key midfield man.

 

Benitez prizes balance in his Newcastle teams and Merino will offer that along with discipline. Expect United next season to play smart, if not always going for the jugular.

 

Cartlidge sees Merino as somebody who will help United retain possession. He offers balance, can pick a pass and has a decent turn of pace. He can also slip into the centre of defence, or play as part of a three at the back – something Benitez has looked at over the summer.

 

“He’s 6ft 3ins but plays like Gerard Pique when he’s a defender. He’s definitely a ball-playing defender,” he says.

 

When news first broke, Merino was pigeon-holed as a defensive midfielder. But it’s not quite that simple.

 

“He’s not necessarily someone who is going to pick a final pass but he’s not a fist pumping defensive midfielder who will tackle anything that moves,” Cartlidge says.

 

“He’s calm and composed. He’s very intelligence and reads the game superbly – he’ll be someone who anticipates and sniffs out the opposition attacks. He’s an excellent reader of the game and that’s probably what appeals to Rafa so much.”

 

Merino is unlikely to be phased by playing in a third country in a year. He is an old head on young shoulders: dedicated to football and his second passion basketball.

His father Miguel – himself a former professional footballer – is the biggest influence on his career. When he first burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old, he spoke of his family’s influence. “They are happy and proud of me and I owe them so much. They help me to make decisions, they advise me and they lead me very well in the way I have to go.

 

“It has been all very fast but they have helped me to recognise that there is still a long way to go. I do not have my head in the clouds. All I think about is working.”

 

His debut as a teenager was fast-tracked but he kept out international midfielders Raoul Loé and Javad Nekounam during that first campaign. The previous season he had sat with supporters in the stands at the El Sadar stadium – it was a “dream come true” to stoke the fires of the midfield engine room in a promotion season for his hometown club.

 

The move to Borussia Dortmund came early but it took him a while to adapt to a team with a very specific style of play. Opportunities were limited but he retains admirers at the Bundesliga club, which had a tough season. He is close to Marc Barta, the Spanish defender.

 

United are taking him with a view to making the deal permanent, although there are opt outs if certain things don’t happen. Benitez’s contacts were crucial in bringing him to the Premier League, a competition that he believes will suit his style of play.

 

England represents a fresh start and an opportunity to play. Benitez has recruited him to start games and he’s likely to be part of a double pivot midfield – one of two defensive-minded midfielders who can break up play, set up attacks and help Newcastle to dominate possession. It’s also good news for Jonjo Shelvey, who will be the creative force for Newcastle next season: the stage he craved when he left Swansea.

 

Merino glided into Tyneside under the radar. But if it all goes to plan, this relative unknown could be a big noise by the end of the season.