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Bruce must alter playing style if NUFC sign Piatek or Giroud

By Durim Halimi

MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 15: Krzysztof Piatek of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 15: Krzysztof Piatek of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United are looking all over the place for a new striker. The club have now targeted Olivier Giroud and Krzysztof Piatek as loan options.

Newcastle United are in the market for a new striker who can put an end to the club’s scoring woes this season. The Magpies’ record signing, Joelinton, has only managed to score one goal this season and his lack of confidence indicates that he will not increase that tally by much any time soon.

According to new reports from Metro and the Sun, Newcastle United have already opened talks with Chelsea and AC Milan to secure the services of either Olivier Giroud or Krzysztof Piatek. Both strikers have respectable scoring records and are capable of having an immediate impact on Tyneside.

According the reports linked above, Chelsea are open to loaning Giroud to Newcastle United, but only once they find a replacement for him since Michy Batshuayi could be leaving on loan as well. The arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at AC Milan makes it easier for the Italians to loan Piatek out this month.

It is worth noting that Tottenham are also interested in signing the Polish international now that Harry Kane is sidelined with a torn hamstring. Playing for Jose Mourinho would be more appealing for Piatek, but being the top dog at Newcastle United could be enough to sway him towards the North East.

New style of play would be needed

Signing quality players is one thing, but properly utilizing them to get maximum results is another. A key reason why Newcastle United have only scored 20 goals in 21 games is because they only average around 30% possession in games. If the Magpies bring in Giroud or Piatek, they need to alter their playing style and focus on maintaining possession for longer periods of time.

What good would it do the club and Piatek, for example, if the team remained dependent on the counter-attack? This style of play would significantly limit a striker who has averaged 11 goals a season in the Serie A over the last two seasons. This term, Piatek has only scored four goals, but that’s because AC Milan have struggled to spread the ball around higher up the pitch and are in the bottom half of the table as a result.

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Bruce is deploying the right formation, 3-4-3, but needs to turn to possession-based football. Yes, possession is slightly overrated in games, but it does give the back-line a chance to breathe and gives those in midfield more time to orchestrate a creative attack. Piatek and Giroud would be good additions for the Magpies, but not if the team spends most of the game chasing the ball.