Albert Luque, who has disappointed at Tyneside since
making a rather high profile 14 million euro move, could get a
fresh chance to impress new boss Sam Allardyce.
Big Sam prides himself on turning players around, and is ready to
take on the challenge of doing the same with players who have been
allowed to "get lost" by previous managers.
Luque was one of the most promising winger-forwards in Spain when
he moved from Deportivo, but has had a disastrous two seasons in
England, never looking settled.
"I feel far too many players have got lost at this football club
and it is my responsibility to make sure that does not happen to
any current member of the staff or any new player I might bring
in," said Allardyce.
"One of the reasons I was successful at Bolton Wanderers was
transforming a foreign player out of whatever country he had come
from, into a Premiership player.
"That's because we found out what problems he had as early as we
possibly could.
"I don't want to be too critical of what has happened here in the
past, but in my opinion, there has not been enough focus on what is
happening in a player's life away from the training ground and the
club.
"Has he got the right lifestyle? Is he living in the right place
for him and his family? In fact, it's not just the player but his
wife and family."
"But once that is sorted out, you get the best out of player and
this is something I have got to try to work out with Albert
Luque.
"He might be too far gone, who knows? But we might still be able to
resurrect his career here. We will see."
