Mikel Merino

Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy.

Hamman was the standout signing of Dalglish's time here, although his time here was wasted by Kenny's ultra-defensive line ups.

Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy.

 

Hamman was the standout signing of Dalglish's time here, although his time here was wasted by Kenny's ultra-defensive line ups.

He played 2 games under Dalglish.

 

 

Midfield three of Hamann, Cabaye and Merino would be droolworthy.

 

Hamman was the standout signing of Dalglish's time here, although his time here was wasted by Kenny's ultra-defensive line ups.

 

He played 2 games under Dalglish.

Didn't realise he was out for so many games, but he was a good player. He would still have been wasted in a side with was usually filled with central midfielders and no width.

Hamann and Speed were a great pairing.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-mikel-merino-returning-goosebumps-23391657

Bring him home. Merino-Bruno-Joelinton TOP 4 easily 

2 minutes ago, papo said:

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-mikel-merino-returning-goosebumps-23391657

 

Bring him home. Merino-Bruno-Joelinton TOP 4 easily 

The one that got away. Stupid release clause. Worse than demba's

would have him back in a heart beat.

3 minutes ago, Dokko said:

 

The one that got away. Stupid release clause. Worse than demba's

Understandable that he insisted on a release clause, and that he wanted to play regularly. I wish Benitez would have played him more despite the form Shelvey and Diame was in. It's a bit hypocritical since I haven't really been that fussed about Bruno not getting much game time due to an unexpectedly good midfield trio, but I guess the difference is when Merino was here, we had no chance on getting someone better in. If Bruno had gone into a hissy fit during this period and wanted out I believe we are now capable of getting someone equal or better in to replace him.

Bruno, Big Joe and Merino....

The last shirt I bought was his. A diamond. The away performance against Swansea had him as a more mobile Busquets. 

This guy was an absolute joy to watch,  so technically good. He’s still only 25, we should make his club an offer 

Soft cunt couldn't wait to fuck off.

He's not going to comeback.

46 minutes ago, Thiago said:

The last shirt I bought was his. A diamond. The away performance against Swansea had him as a more mobile Busquets. 

Awful dive in that game though

Nah grabs his arm. Embellished to draw attention.

3 hours ago, Dokko said:

 

The one that got away. Stupid release clause. Worse than demba's

Even stupider he was benched.

his form really dropped after his back injury and we were better with diame/shelvey at the time.

if he'd worked at it in training he would have been back in.

10 minutes ago, huss9 said:

his form really dropped after his back injury and we were better with diame/shelvey at the time.

if he'd worked at it in training he would have been back in.

Not sure his form dropped really did it? Just by the time he came back Diame was like peak Essien

An in form Willock is probably more effective but no doubt that Merino was a Rolls Royce of a player. Injury fucked him a bit and I’ll never know why Rafa didn’t fight more to keep him.

23 minutes ago, triggs said:

Not sure his form dropped really did it? Just by the time he came back Diame was like peak Essien

he never hit the same levels after his injury.

 definitley wasnt the same player in his first few games back.

I cant really remember his performances after he came back, tbh. Though I obviously remember Diame's. I do remember thinking he should be playing more, though. Not sure if that was on merit or bias.

11 hours ago, HUGZ said:

would have him back in a heart beat.

Yep, we were far too scared to keep him, but we’d keep him in a heart beat now. 
 

Honestly don't think I'd take him at this point. 

I wouldn't say I bear a grudge toward him for leaving so soon, as I don't blame any player for wanting out during the Ashley era. But I can't shake the fact he skipped out on two separate clubs after a year each because he wasn't starting enough for his liking, rather than fighting for his spot outside of the few months he was required to with us simply because transfer windows forced him to. 

While that's his prerogative, what happens if he's at a club with genuine competition for places, which I hope we will have in the not too distant future? Is he going to sulk every time he loses his spot for a run of games?

Bloke left pretty rapid, you think he would even want to come back? 

You don't think we can currently do better than a player who left so quickly?

Yeah he was decent for us and had a lot of promise but we can and should do better in terms of ability, as well as someone who wouldn't jump ship the minute they feel homesick.

Folks are too romantic about the idea of this guy on here sometimes just because we "didn't see the best of him" - such is life, rather go for a new player than someone "finish unfinished business" who was here literally only 5 mins. 

Edited March 16, 2022 by Amir_9

He left because he was homesick which is understandable, he'll not want to leave the Basque area.  Also sociedad are pretty handy as well.