Newcastle United eyeing Eddie Johnson

The large crowd in attendance to watch the Red Bulls beat Kansas City on Saturday included one very interested spectator. Newcastle United's chief scout was in attendance and, while sources state he was there to gauge the quality of play in Major League Soccer, it appears he was there to scout a particular player.

No, it wasn't Jozy Altidore, at least that is what sources tell me. The scout was there to see Wizards forward Eddie Johnson, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

It wasn't exactly the best game for Johnson, who missed a penalty kick and didn't really go off, but Newcastle can't be blamed for being interested in an athletic forward who qualifies for a work permit AND who can come on a free transfer in during the winter. Also, if your team had Michael Owen, who is always a risk to get hurt, wouldn't you be looking for some inexpensive mid-season alternatives at forward?

And before you go ripping on the scout (whose name I wasn't able to get) for looking at Johnson instead of Altidore, he did meet with Altidore after the match. I saw the two chatting outside the Red Bulls locker room afterwards. A source close to Altidore insists that it was just a casual handshake and chat but let's face it, if the scout is worth his salt, he knows who Altidore is and surely watched him with some added interest on Saturday. Unfortunately for Jozy, he was used out of position and didn't have one of his best matches either. Even with that, the scout still saw a a skillful and athletic player with impressive size who just so happens to still be 17.

What do you think of this development? Do you think Newcastle would be a good destination for Johnson? Would it be a good place for Altidore to eventually wind up? Do you think Newcastle is crazy for even considering Johnson? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Nick]

Sucks that neither of them had a standout day. But that happens in soccer, you can't turn it on every game.

[sublicon]

They should eye his missed penalty kicks. Ba-ZING!

Just kidding, it'll be awesome if he goes abroad.

[Dannyc58]

Absolutely no chance of that happening.

He's horrible.

[Northzax]

Hey, why not? He'd come pretty cheap, so there's no real downside for NU.

[Tony M]

EJ will cost a lot less than Josy. That happens when you're five years younger and significantly better. So based on the logic you offer - free transfer, inexpensive player - I could see why Newcastle would do it. As frustrating as he is, EJ is fast. All he would be asked to do is make runs into the box and try to out jump people. I'm reasonably certain he can do that.

What I can't see at this point is him becoming a significant player...although I would love to be wrong.

[Ben]

Newcastle may be a good destination for either except for the fact that they already have 4 quality fowards. They are injured often but, it would be very hard for either to get playing time.

EJ is in far more need to go abroad, simply to be kicked out of his bad habits but, Newcastle may not be the right team.

[Tony M]

I know I'm the minority on this, but there is something about Josy in Seire A that appeals to me very much.

[Katatonia]

he would fail a lot harder than donovan did at leverkusen

[steve]

Just about to say when Ben did.

There's a giant logjam at forward at NUFC. He's not beating out Viduka, Martins, Owen or Smith (even though he's playing in midfield right now) anytime soon.

I'd rather EJ goto a club like Villa or even Derby, where he can ply his trade.

Despite what people may think about EJ, I have a feeling he'll do well in EPL and it will do wonders for his concentration and skill.

[nutmegger]

EJ needs a change of scenery badly. I wouldn't mind seeing him at a big club where he has to work for a living. NM

[Dundee United Scout]

I think EJ should consider Dundee United. We have a roster spot open for him.

[UNITED]

Newcastle have a choice of Viduka or Smith leading the line with Owen or Martins playing off the target man. They will need another big, strong striker in a year or two, when Viduka becomes too old. Altidore will be 18-19 by then, and even stronger than he is now. Draw your own conclusions.

Oh, and Johnson would not make Newcastle's bench if he were signed at the moment.

[Haig]

I don't see Newcastle using that Mexican-American player from "Goal: The Dream Begins," even though he scored a scorcher against Liverpool, and even though Shearer has since retired. So I think Eddie might find himself on the bench.

[Jim]

Given Gooch's experience at NU last season I would hate to see EJ go there. He needs a change of scenery and to be challenged but NU is too fouled up for him.

NU is a big club with a great stadium and fan that should be able to compete for the EPL championship and a spot in Europe but they just keep fouling it up year after year. maybe Big Sam can get it right but American players should give the place a wide berth until they sort things out.

[Tony M]

>I don't see Newcastle using that Mexican-American player from "Goal: The Dream Begins,"

"Eddie, weclome to the Toon."

"What's the Toon?"

"It's where the Geordie's live."

"What's a Geordie?"

"Someone that lives in the Toon. You've a lot to learn."

[Brad]

Eddie Johnson is not good. He will fail miserably. His lazy habits have become an every game thing and that won't cut it over there. Do I see him as someone who would really turn it up a notch to get into the team? No, I see him as a paycheck grabber and he'll be content to get paid, not improve, and buy bling and Escalades b/c he thinks he's a rapper.

Altidore is the much better prospect and that has to be obvious. I'm sure Newcastle can find another athletic, fast striker that doesn't come with the lazy habits and crap ball skills that come with EJ.

Altidore to Arsenal!

[matt]

i feel EJ would be better suited with a move to derby. they have far less talent then NUFC at the striker position and he would be more comfortable playing alongside fellow americans feilhaber and lewis

[Steve W]

PLEASE NO GOD NOOOOOOOOO

What does Gooch's experience have to do with EJ? Gooch wasn't good enough to play, neither is EJ.

They're both better suited to teams like Chalton or Birmingham.

[Steve W]

But on the other hand, seeing Jozy in the toon kit would be awesome.

[AJ]

There was a Newcastle scout at an MLS game? Two words: Cap him!

[eastlachiva]

SANTIAGO NUNEZ IS BETTER THAN EJ!! I think Real Madrid is after him, too.

[nico]

This would fit in with Newcastle's tendency to make high risk (low return) signings. So, this development makes sense, but Newcastle is too fickle of an atmosphere for EJ. One bad game and they will call for his head. And with EJ, that shouldn't take long.

[kpugs]

I think Eddie is getting hammered here, and I'm not sure why. I ripped him after Saturday but come on, he's still young, quick, and two-footed (well sort of). There's something off about him recently but who am I to say a bigger European club wouldn't be able to fix it?

If Jozy goes to Arsenal I'm hanging myself.

[SteveJW]

It is also possible that Martins will leave Newcastle in January. The question becomes does EJ have enough to crack the bench at Newcastle in the next year 1/2? Perhaps but, he would be much better off going to a non big $$ club like Reading, Fulham, Villa.

[Brant]

As a Newcastle fan, I would LOVE to have an American there to cheer for.
Gooch was mis-used, adn never really developed under the coaching staff that was looking for a quick fix, and knew they were on the way out.
One reason Sam's building a stable of forwards (and midfielders) at Newcastle is that he's seen the success other big clubs have had rotating players through different competitions and will likely field different squads for Cup games vs league games. Owen is an injury machine, and Ameobi may be on the way out (too many other clubs interested in him) so the logjam at striker could clear in a hurry. Plus, if NUFC can qualify for Europe next year (UEFA Cup more likely than CL) they'll need more depth on the squad, which is one reason Sam's got 2 squads worth of midfielders.
I'd like Eddie to play over there, but I wonder if either he or Jozy would last a full season in the EPL, or they'd more like Beasley at Rangers - a star in Europe competitions, but second choice in league games.