Newcastle Midfielder "Could Leave" Despite Impressive Opening-Day Display

Obertan's NUFC future hangs in the balance.

by Chris Waugh

Gabriel Obertan's future could still lie away from Newcastle United despite his impressive opening-day display against Southampton, according to reports. The Frenchman was given a somewhat surprising start on the left for United on Sunday yet he vindicated Steve McClaren's decision by providing a magnificent assist for Georginio Wijnaldum's debut goal. What's more, McClaren also praised Obertan's "tactical" display as he aided Massadio Haidara defensively - yet still The Shields Gazette claim the 26-year-old could depart Tyneside in the coming weeks.

Obertan has just a year left on his Toon contract and the Magpies are still looking to move on some squad players this summer, will the Frenchman said to be one of those under consideration. However, he still performed admirably on Sunday in the Barclays Premier League opener. Saints full-back Cedric Soares was booked during the opening 45 minutes and struggled to get the better of Obertan, even if the former Sporting Lisbon defender did give Haidara and Fabricio Coloccini the run-around on a couple of occasions. Speaking after the Magpies' Barclays Premier League opener on Sunday, McClaren told The Chronicle his logic behind starting Obertan. He said:
"It was tactical really in aspect to Cedric Soares, who is a hell of an attacking full-back and we wanted somebody to stay wide and curb that. "I think he (Obertan) did it (his job) that well. Southampton took Soares off at half-time and changed him. "We have been trying to get him to do that a bit more."
Obertan was arguably one of United's star performers against the Saints, and McClaren was effusive in his praise of the 26-year-old winger. Alongside stating that Obertan has "great pace and strength", McClaren continued:
"He has got great pace and strength. Sometimes you have to run beyond people. "He did that towards the end of the first-half, and the second goal was fantastic. "It was good that Papiss (Cisse) scored, that Gabby (Obertan) did that and Gini (Wijnaldum) also scored."
For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.

Contributor
Contributor

NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.