Unsolved Mysteries: Jetro Willems

[Andy1981_2]

As we're all aware, our manager is most famous for his footballing career. But, as I'm sure we're all equally aware, his greatest skill is actually as an author of mystery novels (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-37877150). Which brings me to a mystery I'd love our head sleuth to solve: what the hell is going on with Jetro Willems?

From what we saw of him at Newcastle, he's a player who boasts some pretty impressive footwork, has an eye for goal, and isn't the worst defensively. He's also someone who has been publicly calling out for a move to Newcastle in everything but those exact words. He also happens to be unattached currently. So, he's good enough, and he's within our price range. Which really poses something of a mystery: why haven't we signed him?

There's plenty of people on here that don't think Ritchie should be our starting left-back, and there are good reasons for thinking this way: him not being a left-back being chief among them. That would suggest there's an opening in that position, and we've seen Willems fill that role well in the past.

It could be said that Jamal Lewis was brought in as a long-term solution for that role, and that he's younger, and that maybe he will one day be a better player. But, surely, to fulfil his potential he has to be given a chance in the first team. I expected him to start this season, fresh from a break to take the pressure off after a poor showing last year. But, instead, Ritchie is still first choice. So, if Lewis is the reason Willems isn't needed for the first team, then why isn't Lewis in the first team?

For me, that means we can't point at our existing players to explain why Willems isn't a good signing for us. We also can't point at his extortionate price tag. I think it's also unlikely that his wages would be any higher than Muto's, who has now been moved on (along with others), so we can't point at the wage bill either. And, with that, I think we have a genuine Newcastle United mystery: what the hell is going on with Jetro Willems?

Yes, I've had a few beers. So what? It's a Wednesday.

[toptoon]

It’s a good point and a good question.

I think there’s a ley line running through the left back position at St James Park which makes the good players disappear (Willems and Mbabu) and those that were once promising, turn to sh*t, like Lewis. (On second thoughts that second one is probably down to cabbage.)

Indeed a mystery worth investigating and one that Bruce would’ve gotten away with if it hadn’t been for those pesky kids.......

[Jammy89]

The boring answer is probably we don't trust his injury record, he's had several knee injuries that kept him out for 3 months or more, numerous knee injuries that kept him out for a week or two and then his last injury was a cruciate ligament rupture that kept him out for 9 months.

[bix01]

Something about Brexit as well apparently (I shït you not!) makes it difficult for EU players to move here with respect to work permits etc. - unless they are top internationals and have played certain number of games and stuff like that.

[Zippity]

Nowt wrong with a few beers on a Wednesday, Andy.

It's a mystery indeed-especially for a club in our position and even more so given that we already know he's a good fit for us.

But, then, you remember that Bruce is the manager who would rather sell Lejeune and have Krafth as a CB...and suddenly it all makes perfect sense.

The answer to the mystery is simple, folks: Bruce is a clueless, fucking moron.

It really is as straightforward as that.

[toptoon]

Nowt wrong with a few beers on a Wednesday, Andy.

It's a mystery indeed-especially for a club in our position and even more so given that we already know he's a good fit for us.

But, then, you remember that Bruce is the manager who would rather sell Lejeune and have Krafth as a CB...and suddenly it all makes perfect sense.

The answer to the mystery is simple, folks: Bruce is a clueless, fucking moron.

It really is as straightforward as that.

Unfortunately, you nailed it.

That Lejeune - Kraft comparison hurt.

[HughieG]

Unfortunately, you nailed it.

That Lejeune - Kraft comparison hurt.

Hadn't even thought about it like that. That's a truly embarrassing prioritisation.

Willems is 27 years old, available on a free, has played 22 international games for the Dutchmen, has had a great season here previously and would love to join us, would improve the standard and quality of the squad, and even has a cool name.

Nope, sorry Andy, but I just can't see where you're coming from. Probably the midweek beers talking

[malamoto]

Its a no brainer why we have not signed him up
We have a no brain head coach