10 Players Who Could Be Axed For Newcastle's Summer Recruits

5. Gabriel Obertan

Since signing from Manchester United in the summer of 2011, Obertan has struggled massively to hold down a place in the side with a large number of his appearances for the Magpies coming off the bench. Blessed with pace but unfortunately not necessarily a footballing brain, the Clairefontaine academy graduate has struggled to supply forwards with the opportunities they need. Early on in his Newcastle career Obertan was replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa, a somewhat lazy but mercurial winger who was blessed with dazzling skill and an ability to fashion chances. Obertan used hard work (and Alan Pardew's distate for Ben Arfa's attitude) to get a few chances in the team last season but that might not be enough during the upcoming campaign. With Georginio Wijnaldum joining last year's playmaking purchases Siem de Jong and Remy Cabella, as well as the in-form Rolando Aarons, it seems Obertan's days on Tyneside are numbered. Even with McClaren showing an unusual flexibility in his line-ups this pre-season, expect to see little of Obertan in the final year of his contract as the new head coach seeks to get more from his attacking players who can provide a more-consistent final ball.