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2017-18 Newcastle United player review: Javier Manquillo

By Carson A Merk

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: James McArthur of Crystal Palace and Javi Manquillo of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on October 21, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: James McArthur of Crystal Palace and Javi Manquillo of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St. James Park on October 21, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) /
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Acquired to provide depth at fullback, Javier Manquillo’s first season at Newcastle United was a letdown.

Javier Manquillo began his first season at Newcastle United starting for the injured DeAndre Yedlin at right back, then filling in for the injured Paul Dummett at left-back. Unfortunately, he looked overmatched at both positions and will need to build his confidence and strength this summer.

2017-18 stats: 21 appearances, 20 starts, one assist

Contract runs until: June 2020

Durim Halimi

Javier Manquillo was a rotation player last season and he is expected to be in the same role again. Manquillo is a defender who shows flashes of greatness but struggles with consistency. With Deandre Yedlin and Paul Dummett playing so well, it will make it even more difficult for Manquillo to break into the lineup, but he does add good depth to the squad.

2018-19 outlook: Quality rotation player

Carson A. Merk

Whether he was playing on the left or right, Javi looked like he couldn’t handle the Premier League attackers facing him. He did look more comfortable going forward later in the season, but it was still a disappointing first year at Tyneside. Manquillo is only 24 years old, but it’s unlikely he becomes a staunch defender anytime soon. If an offer comes along, I’d take it and bring in a new fullback to give depth to Yedlin and Dummett.

2018-19 outlook: Sell this summer

Declan Ryan

Manquillo may have made the right decision in leaving Sunderland for Newcastle last year, but his performances on the pitch have hardly been inspiring. Frozen out of the team for a large portion of the season, the Spaniard is too often a liability in defense and does not offer enough going forward to justify a starting place. However, Newcastle United are stuck in a difficult position regarding the fullback position, with Manquillo the only competition for Paul Dummett and DeAndre Yedlin following the departure of Jésus Gámez. Selling Manquillo is a luxury the squad cannot afford, and for that reason, he will at least be a useful backup option next season.

2018-19 outlook: Quality rotation player