Although he's been earned his corn as a left-back many Toon supporters still consider Santon's natural position to be on the right and has been deployed in the position on more than one occasion by Pardew. And after a season in which his form has dipped a switch to a side that favours his strongest foot could work in the Italian's favour as he prepares to enter his fourth season on Tyneside. Santon has lost his way slightly on the left, turning in a series of under-par displays under pressure from youngsters Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara and could find a new lease of life on the opposite side of the back four. For Pardew the path of least resistance would be to station the 23-year-old on the right and conserve a transfer budget that is unlikely to stretch far. Why waste money on a replacement for Debuchy when his ready-made successor is already present at the club?
