Newcastle United have been one of the Premier League clubs impacted most by injuries and illness this season. When key players are out, the players below them on the depth chart get a chance to step up and impress.
Without Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron in recent weeks, Ryan Fraser was expected to be the player to step up and help carry the load in the attack. But, the former Bournemouth player has left much to be desired this season.
After sitting out Project Restart last year and signing with Newcastle in the offseason, the 27-year-old winger has played in 18 Premier League matches, also struggling with injuries of his own at times this season.
With a value of €17.5M according to FotMob.com, Fraser’s zero goals and three assists in Premier League play are not cutting it. He found the net once and it was in an EFL Cup matchup vs. Blackburn Rovers.
This Newcastle United winger has failed to produce when given the opportunity this season.
Obviously, Newcastle’s attack has struggled throughout the season and it’s unfair to put the blame squarely on Fraser. But, he arrived from the Cherries with 18 assists and eight goals over the last two Premier League campaigns.
He shows flashes of what he can bring, like when he dribbles the ball all the way down the wing or his curling shot off the post yesterday vs. Brighton. Unfortunately, Newcastle are in dire straits and need those positive moments to be more frequent and more productive.
If Newcastle United are going to survive this season, they will need Fraser to step up in a big way, whether that’s as a starter or as a super substitute once the attacking players get healthy.