Ranking Newcastle's Dutchmen From The Premier League Era

6) Vurnon Anita

After finishing fifth in the 2011-12 season, Newcastle signed Ajax captain Anita for £6.7 million as the club prepared to return to European competition. Anita was the only first-team signing that summer as the club became complacent of the size and quality of the squad. Anita was expected to be a strong arrival, however (as well as being a possible replacement Cheick Tiote, who was heavily touted to leave at the time). Three years later and it's fair to say that, with few exceptions, the midfielder has not lived up to those expectations. Too easily moved off the ball, Anita still does not appear to have fully adapted to the English game. His passing is adequate over short distances, miserable when trying to find someone from range. Going forward, he has a very limited presence with only one league goal for the club and defensively, his lack of speed creates problems as evidenced when he lost the ball and gave away a penalty within the first minute at Manchester City last season. There have been bursts of his potential and the last game of the 2014-15 season saw Anita put in what might have been his best performances in a black and white shirt. However, with 95 appearances in all competitions by now, the quality that made him captain of Ajax has not shown through and, if Wijnaldum joins, it would appear that Anita is likely one of the men to be most at risk.