1. 8
Otherwise Known As: Goals scored from a starting AMC position. Some have suggested that Siem De Jong is the man to play in the attacking midfield role, and the allocation of the number 10 jersey to the Dutchman, rather than Hatem Ben Arfa seems to suggest that he has been brought in for that starting position, but he will have some competition. Though Newcastle have so far used Cabella out wide predominantly in his brief pre-season appearances so far, he scored more goals last season for Montpellier from a position behind the front line, in a more typical number 10 position. Regardless of the accusations that Cabaye has not yet been replaced, that is plainly not the case: Pardew was happiest employing Cabaye in an attacking midfield position, and when the Frenchman dropped deep he pulled Vurnon Anita out of the game by confusing the structure of the midfield. If Pardew wants his central pair - whether that is Colback, Tiote, Sissoko or Anita (or even Mehdi Abeid who has impressed in pre-season) - to flourish, he needs to bring in more rigid structure. And that might seem like a criticism of Cabaye, but it is in no way unfair to suggest that he was best last season when he had a defined role. The take away from that is that Newcastle will need number 10s who know how to play number 10, and in De Jong and Cabella - who will be more than able to fill in if De Jong is unavailable - he has two players more than capable.