Celtic may have gotten lucky in January considering the performance of Christian Atsu last night.
The Hoops were linked with a late deadline day move for the Newcastle United winger. However, according to Sky Sports, the player himself turn down the chance in a bid to fight for his place at the Premier League club.
Newcastle United’s Christian Atsu (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Last night, he was given his first big chance to step up against Oxford United, and it’s fair to say he was woeful. He had one effort go into orbit whilst he had a massive opportunity inside the area, but he instead decided to play another pass behind his team-mate and the chance was gone.
His 17-minute extra-time cameo didn’t impress, and many Newcastle fans will likely say the same. Here’s a look at some of their reaction on Twitter to Atsu’s display:
Atsu is the worst player to play for Newcastle in my life time
— Connor Lakey (@connorlakey97) February 4, 2020
Atsu is the worst player to pull a Newcastle shirt on. Nobody will change my mind neither.
— curtis (@CurtissDawsonn) February 4, 2020
Christian Atsu is the worst player Newcastle have had since ever.
Don't @ me.
— John Potts #NUFC (@johnpottm) February 4, 2020
Atsu has had 2 good games for Newcastle United. I can only remember one of them mind. So maybe it’s only one. Either way. He’s not good enough.
— Bill (@BillyNeyMates) February 4, 2020
That is some ping. Newcastle are so poor though. Atsu is out of his depth at this level.
— Michael Sweeney (@michaelfanad) February 4, 2020
never wanna see atsu, yedlin or ritchie in a newcastle shirt ever again
— ً (@nufcdylan) February 4, 2020
ASM went to cross, saw Atsu, and turned around instead
— shay (@shaykeurass) February 4, 2020
DeAndre Yedlin and Christian Atsu give me, a 30-year-old with no real talent, hope that I can still become a professional footballer.
— Sean Douglass (@Sean_Douglass) February 4, 2020
End product left a lot to be desired
In fairness to Atsu, he did the odd positive moment last night. He had some good dribbles that got him into promising positions. However, his decision-making on the night was woeful, and for an attacking player, you have to expect a better end product.
Magpies manager Steve Bruce has also stuck with him too. Atsu has played on 23 different occasions this season, and has started two of Newcastle’s last four Premier League matches. Yet, he has no goals and five assists. It’s not a great return (Transfermarkt).
You also have fans above saying that he’s out of his depth at that level last night. He was facing Oxford United in an FA Cup match. If he’s struggling to make an impact there, he would do well to perform at Parkhead consistently.
Christian Atsu of Newcastle (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
He also came on at a time in the game when he should’ve been a standout. The League One side he was up against had already been playing 103 minutes of football. The fact he didn’t tells its own story when you combine it with the fan reaction to his performance.
Also, Celtic’s bid for Atsu was reportedly a loan one (Sky Sports). That means that he would’ve been expected to come in and make a positive contribution right away. With his current confidence levels, who knows how long it would’ve taken to get him up to speed?
For any Celtic fans worried that we seriously missed out on not getting a Premier League winger in the form of Atsu, last night was solid proof that we may have gotten away with one instead.
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