Why Thomas Ince Would be a Wise Investment

It was yesterday announced that Newcastle United made a £4m for Blackpool's prolific winger, Thomas Ince, during the latter stages of the transfer window. And now The Mirror are reporting that we are set to go back in for the lad in January.

After a series of very impressive performances last season, and the early stages of this one, the Blackpool board must have been readying themselves for a bid in the Summer months, with the likes of Swansea, Newcastle and West Ham all linked with the son of former Liverpool and Manchester United striker, Paul Ince. Somehow, however, he has remained at the club.

He flourished under Ian  Holloway’s guidance last season, scoring in Blackpool’s play-off defeat by West Ham at Wembley, and has built on that impression at the start of the new campaign.

Newcastle had been linked with several youngsters over the Summer, with Matt Phillips of Blackpool and John Guidetti of Manchester City both being mentioned. Our transfer strategy appeared to be angled towards the younger players in an attempt to build for the future, so it doesn’t surprise me we tried to bring the young lad in. Although the bid was deemed unacceptable by the Blackpool board this time around, a move in January could be just what we need.

In my opinion, he should be regarded as a definite purchase by the club. He has the advantage of age on his side, and yet carries an air of experience on the ball. His pace and trickery is reminiscent of his father, who himself was an outstanding dribbler, and his mature approach is commendable, especially in modern day football: a sport in which the professionals are increasingly being slated as ‘overpaid’ and setting a bad example.

Ince could have taken the easy route into football: he could have remained at Anfield, playing for the reserves and being involved sporadically in League Cup games. However, after a spell on loan at Notts County in late 2010, his decision to join Blackpool last August has reaped rewards, at transfer he himself described as ‘moving into the real world’. He has shown that his mindset is solely football orientated and is not corrupted by financial rewards.

I feel that with Obertan out of the picture, there is a space out on the wide that needs filling. Whether Gutierrez is good enough to start very game in a team pushing for European success remains to be seen and there appears to be mixed opinions regarding the Argentine. 

But, overall an upped bid for the lad in January would, in my opinion, be very rewarding. He abides with our transfer ethos in building for the future, while also providing immediate quality out wide. I’m sure Carr will be monitoring his progress in the Championship this season, as will many Newcastle fans. 

What do you think? Would he be good enough to start for us? Let us know either on the comments section below or contact us on twitter (@thespectoview)