United's new winger won’t be another Luque

Jul 3 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

NEWCASTLE United fans have been reassured the signing of winger Jonas Gutierrez from Real Mallorca represents a major coup as Spanish football expert Gerry Armstrong dismissed comparisons with Magpies misfit Albert Luque.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Real Mallorca midfielder, who is a commentator on Spanish football for Sky Sports, is adamant United have pulled off a remarkable signing in Gutierrez, who he believes was the best winger in La Liga last season.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp had spent the last eight months trying to persuade the 24-year-old to move to Fratton Park and Armstrong insisted Newcastle had beaten several other Spanish and English clubs to land a player he feels is perfectly suited to the English game.

United have not had much luck when it comes to signing players from La Liga, with £9m flop Albert Luque the last player to swap the Spanish sun for Tyneside three years ago, while injury-prone centre-back Marcelino was the last player the Magpies signed from Real Mallorca back in 1999.

Armstrong, though, is adamant Gutierrez – who is believed to have bought out the last two years of his contract at Mallorca to facilitate a move to England – will prove to be a far more successful acquisition and wholeheartedly praised the winger’s work rate, as well as his creativity.

“It really is a major coup for Newcastle United and Kevin Keegan will be absolutely thrilled to get him because a lot of clubs were after him from La Liga and the Premier League,” said Armstrong, who spent two years with Mallorca and is still based on the island.

“I know for certain that Harry Redknapp will be absolutely gutted Jonas has gone to Newcastle because he has spent the last seven or eight months trying to get him to sign for Portsmouth. A lot of clubs have been watching him, but Newcastle have pulled it off.

“Jonas is a great signing for Newcastle and the fans should be thrilled that he will be at St James’s Park next season. It is a real statement of ambition in the transfer market and it will help the club look forward after the troubles it has had recently.”

United manager Keegan has been desperate to add some creativity to his midfield after identifying this as the major weakness in the side last season and Gutierrez, who has signed a five-year deal, is tipped to provide a productive supply line for Michael Owen and the rest of the Newcastle strikeforce.

Armstrong said: “For me, he was one of the best players in La Liga last season and the biggest single reason why Real Mallorca had such a good year. Danny Guiza was the top goalscorer in Spanish football last season and he got his ammunition from Gutierrez, he created the goals for him. I’m sure Michael Owen will be looking forward to playing with him.

“I don’t think Kevin could have signed a better player for Newcastle from La Liga because he has all the attributes needed to be a success in the Premier League and I’m really interested to see how he does.

“He is tall for a winger, and he’s quick and strong. He has wonderful energy levels and will work really hard for the team. He also knows how to defend and he’s not scared to tuck in when he has to. He is a great team player because that is something all the Real Mallorca players had to be.”

Like all foreign players, Gutierrez may take some time to settle in the North East, but for the first time since Laurent Robert, Newcastle appear to have a genuinely exciting winger on their books.

Gutierrez – who is famous for wearing a Spiderman mask when he celebrates scoring – will not link up with the rest of the Newcastle squad for at least another fortnight as he was involved in Argentina’s summer internationals.

But, when he does, Armstrong expects him to become a big hit with fans and team-mates alike because of his approach to the game.

He added: “I know Newcastle have not had the best track record when it comes to signing players from Spain, but Gutierrez is Argentinean and he has a different style of play. He’s certainly not another Albert Luque. Argentinians generally have a good history in English football, going back to Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa at Tottenham, and I’m confident Gutierrez will be a success at Newcastle.

“Obviously, it is always difficult moving to a different country, with a different language and it will take some adjustment which can take time, but I really do think he will adapt to English football because of the type of player he is. Newcastle have obviously done their homework.”

Gutierrez’s arrival would appear to have ended Newcastle’s interest in Tottenham and England winger Aaron Lennon, while there will also be new question marks surrounding the future of James Milner.

Meanwhile, Everton are expected to name Steve Round as their new assistant manager this morning.

Round will leave Newcastle after one season on their coaching staff to link up with the Goodison Park club after negotiations between the clubs last night are believed to have thrashed out a compensation deal to allow Round to leave the North East.

Magpies' new man

JONAS Gutierrez began his career with Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield in Argentina, making his debut when he was just 18. After helping Sársfield to the league title in 2005 he moved to Real Mallorca, where he made 96 appearances, scoring five goals.

Speaking about his estimated £7m move to Newcastle the winger said: “I cannot tell you how excited I am to be joining Newcastle United. The Premier League is a great place to play and I cannot wait to meet my new team-mates and prove myself to the Newcastle United fans.”