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Bentaleb’s arrival would bring big potential and little risk for Newcastle

By Carson A Merk

PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 28: Nabil Bentaleb of FC Schalke 04 is challenged by Oliver Torres of FC Porto during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between FC Porto and FC Schalke 04 at Estadio do Dragao on November 28, 2018 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL - NOVEMBER 28: Nabil Bentaleb of FC Schalke 04 is challenged by Oliver Torres of FC Porto during the UEFA Champions League Group D match between FC Porto and FC Schalke 04 at Estadio do Dragao on November 28, 2018 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images) /
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Newcastle United should benefit from Nabil Bentaleb’s playmaking and aggressiveness with his discipline issues hopefully behind him.

With very little warning or rumor, Newcastle United appear to be close to adding a mercurial midfielder. According to the Chronicle and Sky Sports, Schalke’s Nabil Bentaleb is moving towards signing a loan deal with the Magpies. At this time, there’s no word if the deal will include a clause to make the move permanent.

Schalke are likely open to selling Bentaleb as the midfielder has been something of a problem child this season. The midfielder was dropped from the first team to the reserves for disciplinary reasons. At Newcastle United, Benataleb should benefit from the leadership and structure from Jamaal Lascelles, who made his mark at Newcastle years ago for calling out teammates for effort and underperforming.

With his potential arrival on Tyneside, the Magpies would have the major upside of Bentaleb’s skill set and with the deal only being a loan, they would have very little risk in adding him if his issues re-surface. The Algerian international brings a different dynamic to the Newcastle midfield. He is a great long passer like Jonjo Shelvey, but he’s more skilled dribbling the ball and has more pace. In 73 Bundesliga matches, Bentaleb scored 12 goals and logged eight assists.

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He needs to get into full fitness after not playing in the Bundesliga this season due to a knee issue and the discipline from the club. But, the good news is that he has Premier League experience as he came up with Spurs before leaving on loan, then a full move to the German side.

The move could be wrapped up today and Steve Bruce would be adding another quality option to his group of central midfielders.