Chris Sutton suggests £20m forward is not good enough to play for Newcastle United
As Newcastle United prepare for what could be a transformative summer transfer window, the club’s scouting network has identified Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn as a potential solution to their right-wing concerns.
However, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has raised significant doubts about the German’s suitability for a move to Tyneside following a dramatic dip in form.
The Magpies, fresh from their Carabao Cup triumph and pushing for Champions League qualification, find themselves at a crossroads in their recruitment strategy.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell faces the delicate task of balancing immediate first-team needs with long-term squad building, particularly as European football returns to St James’ Park. Kuhn’s situation encapsulates this challenge perfectly – a player who sparkled early in the season but has since struggled for consistency.
The 25-year-old winger made an explosive start to his Celtic career, contributing 15 goal involvements (9 goals, 6 assists) in his first 22 Scottish Premiership appearances.
His performances against elite opposition, including an eye-catching display against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, convinced Newcastle’s scouts of his potential to make the step up. Yet Sutton, who made over 200 appearances for Celtic, believes Kuhn’s recent struggles should give Newcastle pause for thought.
“You have to show consistency all the way through the season,” Sutton cautioned. “That may have been a certain blot on his copybook.” His assessment comes after Kuhn managed just three goal contributions in 11 games during a concerning mid-season slump, though the German did recently remind observers of his quality with a brace against Dundee United.
This inconsistency presents Eddie Howe with a familiar challenge. The Newcastle manager has built his reputation on improving players, transforming the likes of Joelinton and Miguel Almiron from struggling signings into key performers.
Kuhn’s raw attributes – pace, direct running, and an eye for goal – theoretically make him an ideal candidate for Howe’s coaching magic. However, with Newcastle potentially competing in the Champions League next season, the margin for error in recruitment becomes significantly narrower.
Complicating matters further is Celtic’s sudden reliance on Kuhn following Jota’s season-ending knee injury. The Portuguese winger’s absence may force Kuhn into a more prominent role at Parkhead, potentially increasing both his playing time and transfer value.
Celtic’s need to retain attacking options could make negotiations more challenging for Newcastle, despite the £20 million valuation appearing reasonable in today’s inflated market.
Newcastle’s interest in Kuhn reflects their ongoing search for right-sided attacking reinforcements. The position has become a priority with Miguel Almiron’s future uncertain and Jacob Murphy better suited to a squad role.
While Kuhn represents a calculated gamble, his patchy form raises legitimate questions about whether he possesses the consistency required for a club with Newcastle’s ambitions.
As Mitchell and Howe finalize their summer targets, they must weigh Kuhn’s undeniable potential against his recent struggles. In a window that could define Newcastle’s trajectory for years to come, every recruitment decision carries added significance.
The German winger’s situation serves as a microcosm of the broader challenges facing Newcastle’s recruitment team – identifying players who can not only contribute immediately but also develop into genuine Champions League-caliber performers.
With financial fair play considerations still looming large, Newcastle cannot afford many transfer missteps. Whether Kuhn represents a shrewd acquisition or an unnecessary risk may become one of the summer’s most intriguing subplots on Tyneside.
As Sutton’s warning suggests, the answer likely lies in which version of the player Newcastle would be getting – the early-season sensation or the inconsistent performer of recent months.