Newcastle Is A "Good Stepping Stone" For Thauvin, Believes Waddle

By Chris Waugh / August 21, 2015

Florian Thauvin can use Newcastle United as a "good stepping stone" in order to "fulfil his potential" and move on to one of Europe's biggest clubs, believes former Marseille and Magpies winger Chris Waddle. Newcastle completed a £14 million move for Thauvin on Wednesday - with Remy Cabella heading in the opposite direction on a one-year loan that will likely turn into a permanent deal - and the French winger has signed a five-year contract with the Magpies. But Waddle does not expect Thauvin to remain on Tyneside for long - should he manage to finally turn his undoubted potential into a finished product.

The 22-year-old shot on to the scene with a wonder season for Bastia, in which he helped the Corsican side to the Ligue 2 title in 2011-12, but Thauvin's career has stalled somewhat after a disappointing last 12-18 months with Marseille. But Waddle is adamant Thauvin can reignite his career at St James' Park and that Toon supporters will "enjoy" what they see from him. Quoted in the Daily Mail, Waddle said:

"It's a big chance for him (Thauvin) in the (Barclays) Premier League because the whole world will be watching him.

"If he fulfils his potential at Newcastle the fans will enjoy how he plays. If he fulfils his potential in the next couple of years he will be very hard to hold on to because he has that much talent.

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"This is a good stepping stone for him and I am sure he will want to get Newcastle away from the bottom half."

In terms of where Waddle thinks Steve McClaren should deploy Thauvin going forward, he believes that the former France Under-21 international could be best suited to the No 10 role, rather than as a winger.

Waddle continued:

"I've always been a fan of the kid. I saw him playing for France Under-21s and he was the player who caught the eye when on the ball.

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"He was very relaxed and could move the ball well, he's a playmaker. Where he plays eventually for Newcastle we will see.

"They played him on the right at Marseille. A lot of people - myself included - feel he could be a No 10, but you have to get him on the ball.

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"He's got terrific ability and he's very elegant. He is a talent and hopefully he will fulfil his potential because he has all the attributes to be a top player."

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