Newcastle will struggle without Cabaye
Any team that loses one of their key midfielders is always going to struggle. Look at Tottenham Hotspur with Mousa Dembele, for example, while Manchester United desperately lacked Paul Scholes upon his retirement. The same can now be said of Newcastle United and Yohan Cabaye.
The Frenchman could be out of action until the New Year after suffering a groin injury on international duty last week. The news will come as a massive blow to manager Alan Pardew, whose side recently succumbed to a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Swansea City.
Cabaye proved to be one of the signings of the season last year after arriving from Lille for an undisclosed fee. After Newcastle’s fifth placed finish last season, expectation around St. James’ Park had been that the club would be likely to challenge for a top four finish, with the club confident enough to offer Pardew an eight-year contract at the club.
However, with 26-year-old now possibly ruled out for around six weeks, the Magpies’ Champions League hopes have suffered a detrimental blow. Five goals and nine assists in his debut campaign is an impressive return and while this seasons figures aren’t quite as an impressive; he’s still been a key member of the starting XI, regardless of Newcastle’s position in the Premiership.
Even when he does return in January, Pardew is also likely to be without Cheick Tiote, who is set to represent Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations. Nevertheless, losing Cabaye is a huge blow to Newcastle with the club already underperforming this season.
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