Mikel Merino (now playing for Arsenal)

[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.

[Collage]

Sounds great. I really like Javi Martinez.

[Kanj]

Interesting bit at the end about playing in a double pivot with Shelvey playing in a role further up the pitch.

[Tiresias]

it won't happen but since 3 at the back is so popular at the moment in premier league wonder if he'd drop back into that david luiz centre back but ball player role. My slight concern (and it is a slight concern) is the prevalent 3-4-3 formations are almost exactly geared to work against the classic 4-2-3-1

[Willow]

We'll stick 3 at the back once we've cemented our place in the champions league spots for a while

[Tiresias]

 

I 99% agree but it's also worth noting the reasons for its sudden success. Know they went down but Hull did well with it at bottom of table, if Silva had been there for longer they'd have stayed up

[Ryan]

Howay, just announce it NUFC.

[joeyt]

 

I 99% agree but it's also worth noting the reasons for its sudden success. Know they went down but Hull did well with it at bottom of table, if Silva had been there for longer they'd have stayed up

 

Marco Silva barely played 3 at the back with Hull

[triggs]

 

I 99% agree but it's also worth noting the reasons for its sudden success. Know they went down but Hull did well with it at bottom of table, if Silva had been there for longer they'd have stayed up

 

Marco Silva barely played 3 at the back with Hull

You sure? Thought Maguire played on the right of a back three for them?

[joeyt]

I thought he usually played quite a classic 4-4-2 with Ranocchia and Maguire as CBs and two wingers. Might be wrong like

[Ryan]

German media announcing the deal is done.

[xLiaaamx]

Option to buy rather than Obligation now.

[Tiresias]

I thought he did, fair enough if he didn't. Anyway my point being the front threes can get behind double pivots and overload 4 at the back. I am a bit concerned that the usual tactic against chelsea was to copy with a back 3, seemed to work best mind. I always thought you have to get behind the wing backs and pack midfield against it mind.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Option to buy rather than Obligation now.

 

I think we take options and give obligations.

[Tiresias]

Option to buy rather than Obligation now.

 

Are there any circumstances where dortmund could refuse to sell him in a years time with these deals?

[xLiaaamx]

Option to buy rather than Obligation now.

 

Are there any circumstances where dortmund could refuse to sell him in a years time with these deals?

Nah. Once you put in an Option its out of your hands.

[Guest neesy111]

Option to buy rather than Obligation now.

 

Are there any circumstances where dortmund could refuse to sell him in a years time with these deals?

 

If their is a set fee agreed then no.  Player still needs to decide whether they want to join permanently though.

[Tiresias]

Then honestly a good thing if he's pap

 

edit: aaah yeah if rafa goes he could say shove off to us

[Guest palnese]

https://twitter.com/ggfn_/status/890670477387079681

[Stifler]

Seen this ITK wannabe reporting 2 day old news as breaking news.

 

[Altamullan]

"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."

 

Great article from The Chronic, him and Hayden--seems a very young central pairing--with Shelvey on point. Not bad, but surely there's an older head coming in?

[Ketsbaia]

Hoping it's an obligation tbh, that's how I confident I am of his success here.

[louistoon]

"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."

 

Great article from The Chronic, him and Hayden--seems a very young central pairing--with Shelvey on point. Not bad, but surely there's an older head coming in?

 

Must be what the Samerias/McCarthy rumours are about. Signings only make sense if we're dropping the 4231, and going for a 41221 or somethings similar, hence no need for a number 10, at least in most games. We'll probably revert to 4231 at home to some of the lesser teams in the league with De Jong playing the number 10 role.

[Dave]

[KaKa]

"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."

 

Great article from The Chronic, him and Hayden--seems a very young central pairing--with Shelvey on point. Not bad, but surely there's an older head coming in?

 

Probably McCarthy or Samaris to partner him? Both are more seasoned.

 

Then subs will be Hayden, and at this point ... Colback ... really wish we could get someone in to replace Colback as a back up. The idea of him being involved in any capacity is very upsetting.