Soccer / mario balotelli

Newcastle United capped a great week with a second win in four days with a 2-1 comeback win against Southampton at St. James' Park thanks to a late winner by Fede Fernandez after a brilliant headed equalizer by man of the moment JonJo Shelvey. The on-fire Newcastle Captain who scored his 3rd goal in as many games immediately set his and the club's sights on Europe after securing 7 points in just 8 December days: "We want to push as high as we can and get into the Europa League spots. That is obviously the aim. "But first of all we need to get this club to safety and go from there. "In my opinion there is no reason why we can't get this club back into European football. "What a place it would be next year if we were in Europe and travelling all over the world." The Magpies are now 11th in the Premier League just two points off 5th place Man United, fully seven points clear of the relegation zone, so can start to look up the table. The January transfer window opens soon and Steve Bruce can capitalize on an excellent start to the season and life as Newcastle manager with a few key signings who can kick the Magpies on in 2020 and even challenge for a European place. Newcastle's defence has largely been solid in 2019/20 and defensive master Rafa Benitez left the squad with good strength in depth particularly in central defence but goalscoring is a problem area that must be addressed in the January window. £40M summer signing Joelinton and winger-cum-forward Allan Saint Maximin have scored just one goal and January signing Miguel Almiron is yet to break his duck while Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle are yet to notch in a black and white shirt this season. Newcastle announced tonight that they will be giving away 10,000 free season tickets to the friends and family of loyal existing season ticket holders to celebrate The Magpies' 127th birthday to boost attendances and those lucky new fans will be eager to see goals & glory so here are the 4 players Newcastle should sign this January:Mario Balotelli - Brescia - Free Transfer Steve Bruce called the signing of Andy Carroll a "no-brainer" in the summer & signing Mario Balotelli, an experienced international striker who was won The Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League in his career would be another. Balotelli, who notched his 3rd goal of the season for Brescia yesterday - his 50th goal in Serie A - has been told he can leave the Italian club in January on a free transfer and is desperate to do so after receiving racist abuse whilst in Italy. Like Carroll, he brings a wealth of top level experience and goals and would be another striker perfectly suited to the lone striking role currently favoured by Bruce. Read more about why Newcastle should sign him in my previous article by clicking this link. 2. Jarrod Bowen - Hull City - In the region of £20M or Swap Deal For Dwight Gayle Newcastle need wingers and forwards who can score goals and Jarrod Bowen, who turns 23 on December 20th, has just hit his 50th goal for Hull City, after he was plucked from the relative obscurity of Hereford United Steve Bruce. The winger likes to play on the right side and cut inside on his stronger left foot and he has the tricks and turn of pace to step up to the Premier League in style. Goal celebrations that include throwing darts & drinking will go down well with the Geordie public and he's a character who would add to thriving team spirit on Tyneside. 3. Robbie Brady - Burnley - £10M The Republic of Ireland left winger or wing-back is an international teammate of Newcastle's Ciaran Clark and was a key player when Steve Bruce took Hull City to the FA Cup Final in 2014. A set-piece specialist, his left-footed corners and free-kicks could add another attacking weapon to Newcastle's already-impressive goal threat from dead balls and the 27 year-old chips in with goals and assists of his own to match an impressive work-rate. His signing would give Newcastle direct cover of Jetro Willems in the left wing-back slot and added competition and cover for wingers Saint-Maximin, Almiron & Christian Atsu. 4. Jetro Willems - on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt - £10M Dutch international Jetro Willems is a player I recommended Newcastle sign in the summer of 2015 along with Virgil Van Dijk in the same blog, who back then could be prised from Celtic for a snip at £13M as Southampton proved shortly after before going on to greater things with Liverpool and a Ballon d'Or Runners-Up spot. Willems has finally made it to Tyneside this summer and is having a great season after an inauspicious start and uncharacteristic mistake against Arsenal, the only match Newcastle have lost at home in the Premier League this season. Like Newcastle and Steve Bruce, 25 year-old Willems has bounced back spectacularly scoring superb goals away at Anfield against Liverpool as well as an equaliser at St. James' Park versus Man City, both with his right foot showcasing his technical ability. Making his move from German side Eintracht Frankfurt permanent is surely something that the Newcastle board will complete at the earliest opportunity.