Could Ba fill Carroll’s role with Newcastle United next season?

If Andy Carroll doesn’t return next season, Demba Ba could play a similar part for Newcastle United.

Today is Demba Ba’s 35th birthday. To celebrate their former Senegalese striker, Newcastle United tweeted out highlights of his hat-trick against Blackburn Rovers and it’s fun to reminisce on those good times. But, is there a chance that Ba could actually serve a role on the pitch next season for Newcastle United?

Last summer, Newcastle United brought Andy Carroll back to the club on an inexpensive deal. He wasn’t expected to be himself in his prime again. Rather, he would be primarily a substitute that can also provide some veteran leadership in the dressing room. He’s tallied four assists in 13 Premier League appearances.

While Carroll is four years younger than Ba, the latter has actually been the more productive player in recent years. As Carroll was battling injury and poor form with West Ham United, Ba was scoring goals in China and Turkey. This season, he scored ten goals and added five assists in the Super Lig, along with two assists in the Europa League. Is it unfair to think that Ba could come back to the Magpies and give them quality minutes off the bench?

A couple of factors are important to this possibility. First, Carroll may be back if he meets certain milestones to activate a one-year extension. If he returns, there’s obviously no need to add Ba. Also, there’s a chance that Ba would prefer to stay as a primary striker with a club in a lower league rather than play here and there for Newcastle.

Nostalgia is always involved when you think of bringing a former player back, but in this instance, Demba Ba would make sense for this role based on his numbers. Then, you throw in the fact that he is beloved on Tyneside and it might be a reunion that makes a lot of sense.