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Keep or sell: Dwight Gayle and Javier Manquillo

By Durim Halimi

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 30: Javier Manquillo of Newcastle in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Hibernian FC and Newcastle United FC at Easter Road on July 30, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 30: Javier Manquillo of Newcastle in action during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Hibernian FC and Newcastle United FC at Easter Road on July 30, 2019 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United have some important decisions to make in January regarding who they plan to keep in the squad and who they are willing to sell.

Earlier this week I explained why Newcastle United should sell Yoshinori Muto and Ki Sung-Yueng in January, but a new report from the Shields Gazette indicates that the front office is ready to entertain offers for Dwight Gayle and Javier Manquillo. Gayle and Manquillo are quality players who have been with the Magpies for multiple seasons, and a few teams will surely be knocking on the door for their services, but should they be sold in January?

Dwight Gayle: Sell

Personally, I like Dwight Gayle and I want to see him stay on Tyneside, but I just don’t see it happening. For some reason, Steve Bruce prefers Andy Carroll’s tall frame over Dwight Gayle’s quick pace. Gayle has only made two appearances this season, both as a late substitute, and has only touched the ball once. Yes, one touch.

Going back two seasons ago, Gayle scored six goals and completed three assists in 35 appearances, so we know he can have an impact offensively. However, he is recognized as an elite striker in the Championship as a result of scoring over 20 goals for Newcastle United (2016) and West Brom (2018) in the second division.

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Dwight Gayle of West Bromwich Albion celebrates scoring during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City at The Hawthorns on September 1, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Dwight Gayle of West Bromwich Albion celebrates scoring during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City at The Hawthorns on September 1, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images) /

West Brom are interested in securing his services on a permanent basis in January, and if the Baggies offer comes close to Newcastle United’s asking price I think Gayle will be on his way to the West Midlands. As I mentioned earlier, Gayle would be the second striker in my pecking order if I was the manager, but it doesn’t look like he is in Bruce’s future plans.

Javier Manquillo: Keep

Javier Manquillo’s situation is difficult to predict. Under Rafa Benitez, Manquillo was behind DeAndre Yedlin, but he got more playing time in the second half of last season and looked solid as a starter. Manquillo was in top form this summer as well, but to our surprise he has only played in four matches this season.

The arrival of Emil Krafth this summer made things worse for Manquillo. The team desperately needed another wing-back to spark more internal competition, but now Bruce has a big dilemma. Does he think Krafth has what it takes to step up and serve as a regular starter if Yedlin goes down with an injury?

Next. Granit Xhaka is open to signing for Newcastle in January. dark

My answer to that question would be no. Krafth still needs time to adapt to English football and this is reflected in his inconsistency. For example, the Swedish international got lit up by Teemu Pukki in matchweek two, but he looked great against Harry Kane and company the following weekend. Manquillo has 73 Premier League matches under his belt and his form has improved since the second half of last season. As a result, I think Bruce should and will keep the Spaniard around until the end of the 2019-20 campaign.