Newcastle Transfers: Rating The Toon's French Connection

2. Massadio Haidara

Pronunciation: Mas-ad-ee-o Hi-da-ra (not Hairdryer) Position: Left Back Former Club: Nancy Age: 20 Fee: £1.8 million What to expect: Much like Davide Santon this is a left back who loves to get forward so expect plenty of attacking charges into the opponent's half. Haidara though is left footed so more likely to whip a ball into the box rather than cut inside for the shot. He€™s been the one bright spark of Nancy€™s doomed season in Ligue 1 but has still shown his rashness and naiveté on occasion; being quick to concede fouls and having some lapses in concentration. First team: Unlikely to dislodge Santon as first choice left back but expect his arrival to signal Shane Ferguson being sent out on loan to a Championship club in February. Hopefully the competition for a starting berth will give Santon a boost on the field with his last few appearances not to a high standard. Some on Twitter expect Haidara to play left back and Santon to be converted into a left winger a la Gareth Bale. http://youtu.be/2Wk46z28gTE