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Newcastle’s Goalkeeping Situation: Bayindir to Step In for Onana

As Newcastle United prepares for their upcoming match, Turkey’s Altay Bayindir is set to take the field in place of Andre Onana. This will mark Bayindir’s sixth game of the season and his debut in the Premier League, highlighting the challenges faced by the team’s goalkeepers this year.

Bayindir has not participated in any league matches since January, having only appeared in cup competitions thus far. Meanwhile, Onana’s performance has been under scrutiny, as he has recorded eight significant errors leading to goals since the previous season, the highest of any goalkeeper in the Premier League.

In defense of Onana, Sporting Lisbon’s manager, Ruben Amorim, pointed out that his own player has made more mistakes this season than the Newcastle keeper. Nonetheless, Onana’s journey has been fraught with difficulties since his transfer from Inter Milan for a hefty sum of £47 million in 2023. The decision to replace fan-favorite David de Gea with Onana was made by then-manager Erik ten Hag, under the belief that Onana’s ball-handling abilities offered a tactical advantage.

However, Onana’s recent performances, including a particularly concerning error against Lyon where he failed to intercept a straightforward shot, have raised questions about his readiness to shoulder the responsibilities expected of him. His struggles on the pitch have been compounded by personal challenges off it; his wife, Melanie Kamayou, was a victim of robbery last month, adding to the pressure surrounding the player.

As Bayindir prepares to take his position in goal, the focus will be on whether he can provide the stability and performance that Newcastle requires during this critical juncture of the season.

Source
www.bbc.com