Clearly moving to England and the Premier League too early in his career, Florian Thauvin’s spell at Newcastle is one he will say he learnt a lot from, but also one he’ll probably want to forget altogether.
Never adapting to the physicality of the game across the Channel, the France international left St James’ Park just six months after his arrival, and returned on loan to his former club, who swiftly bought him back in the summer after yet another temporary deal.
Now one of the more exciting players in Ligue 1, the 24-year-old has scored eight goals and picked up nine assists in 22 appearances, and is drawing comparisons to one of the better inside forwards in recent years, Arjen Robben.
Robert Pirès, who Newcastle fans will know well from his long stint in the Premier League with Arsenal, was speaking to La Provence in France after Marseille beat Metz 3-0 midweek, a game in which the Magpies flop picked up a goal and an assist.
He said: “He’s progressed a lot under Rudi Garcia. He plays like Robben. He curls his shots, but he also knows how to alternate long play, short play, small passes, and he’s extremely quick with the ball in his feet, which is great to have down the wing.
“That’s why it’s complicated for a defender, because he’s equally capable of going to the sideline and cross with his right, or cutting in. He can play down both sides or through the middle”.
Now far more mature and hard working than he was when he left Marseille to go to Newcastle the first time, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some big clubs around Europe going after him.
AS Roma were briefly mentioned over the summer, but that was quickly ended by both club and player.
One thing is certain, if/when he leaves the south of France again, it’ll be for more than the £16m Newcastle bought him for in 2015.
