Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has finally found his footing in England while on loan at Championship side Fulham.
Mitrovic has 11 goals in his 12 games for the Cottagers, leaving some observers to wonder why Newcastle United allowed the 23-year-old to go out on loan. Newcastle's top scorer in the Premier League this season has been Dwight Gayle with five.
But Rafael Benitez will feel vindicated by his decision to let Mitrovic leave after television cameras caught a crazy off the ball incident during a game between Fulham and Millwall.
Millwall player Tim Cahill clattered into Fulham's Tom Cairney near the touchline. Advantage was given to Fulham, but Mitrovic appeared to step into the path of Cahill and elbow the Australian in the face.
This incident has added to Mitrovic's already well established hotheaded and aggressive reputation, which is a reason why Benitez does not trust Mitrovic enough to play him at Newcastle.
Many Magpies fans took to Twitter after seeing the incident to declare that Newcastle are better off without the striker. Too much of a liability, many fans would like to see Newcastle cash in on Mitrovic in the summer.
He’s a liability. Not premier league standard either. Cash in on him now.
— Graham Hunter (@graham_hunter68) April 25, 2018
The Mitro argument does my head in. He’s not a Rafa player so as long as Rafa is there Mitro won’t be. I know which one I’m happy to have and if you’d choose Mitro over Rafa have a word with yourself
— paul gray (@Grayzo17) April 25, 2018
As long as Rafa is at NUFC mitro will never play in a toon shirt again & I for one won’t miss him
— ⬛️Dan Willan⬜️ (@DanWillan84) April 25, 2018
@GraemeBailey see above. Ultimately Rafa has been proved right to let him go on loan. Transfer value increased. Both NUFC and Mitrovic have benefited IMO.
— Steven Murray (@stevemurray1980) April 25, 2018
All these people saying we need Mitro in the team are daft. I love the bloke but he can’t be trusted. Decisions like this (and the one vs West Ham) will cost us games cause he’ll be sent off or already banned. Would love him to curb the silliness and not lose his aggression.
— Phillip Applegarth (@rfnapps) April 25, 2018
( Newcastle Fans Call for Club to Sell Loanee to Fund Permanent Deal for Chelsea Winger)
It should be noted that cameras showed Mitrovic and Cahill laughing and hugging after full time whistle had blown. Neither player looked too bothered by the incident, but it does seem the Serbian was a bit fortunate to not have have any retrospective action taken against him.
Meanwhile, Tim Cahill was given a violent conduct charge for an incident later in the game where he appeared to elbow Fulham's Liam Fredericks. Millwall lost the match 3-0 and Cahill will now serve a three match ban, which could be a big blow to Millwall's bid to reach the playoffs.
- 90Min