5 Reasons Why Loic Remy Is Newcastle United's Most Important Player

Whilst it was the early form of Hatem Ben Arfa that grabbed all the headlines this season, Loic Remy has now emerged as Newcastle United’s most influential figure.

Since making his debut against Fulham at the end of August, the French forward has averaged a goal a game for the Magpies in the Premier League, with five in his first five appearances.

The 26-year-old, who is on a season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers, is looking to add to that tally this weekend, with Liverpool the visitors to St. James’ Park.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash, we take a look at five reasons why the former Marseille man is currently Newcastle's most important player.  

Goals, Goals and More Goals

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Despite playing for a struggling Queens Park Rangers side last term and a somewhat erratic Newcastle United this time around, Loic Remy’s record in the Premier League is impressive.

In 19 top-flight appearances for both the West Londoners and the Geordies, the striker has netted 11 times since moving to England from Marseille in January.

The Frenchman also chipped in with an assist on his Toon debut.

Without the former Nice star’s goals, the Magpies would currently be in the bottom three alongside Crystal Palace and Sunderland.

As it stands, however, United are currently 11th in the table with 10 points from their first seven games, and Remy is due a huge amount of credit for that tally. 

The Form of Papiss Cisse

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Papiss Cisse hasn't scored in any of his last 13 Premier League games

While Papiss Cisse struggles to overcome his own personal goal drought, Loic Remy has been keeping Newcastle United’s head above water during the 2013-14 campaign.

The Magpies’ No. 9 has not scored a Premier League goal in 1066 minutes of football, and last found the net in the top flight some six months ago against Fulham in April.

However, the goals of Remy since he arrived this summer have helped turn attention away from the Senegalese international’s struggles.

And despite having two assists to his name so far this term, Cisse, alongside manager Alan Pardew, will be more than thankful for the Frenchman’s valuable input so far. 

His Versatility in Attack

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Whether on the left-hand side of a front three, or in a more central role, Loic Remy has looked a legitimate threat since making his Newcastle United debut in August.

His adaptability has seen the 26-year-old cause havoc out wide—as demonstrated during the build up to the Magpies’ opening goal against Aston Villa last month.

When used as a more traditional striker, the French international has looked equally effective, and has shown his prowess in the air, on the floor and from distance.

This versatility makes Remy a valuable commodity for the Toon, and gives boss Alan Pardew a welcome number of options in a department that is otherwise thin on the ground. 

Consistency

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Both at St. James’ Park and on their travels, Newcastle United have been a picture of inconsistency so far this season—with the very obvious exception of Loic Remy.

Whilst Hatem Ben Arfa has lurched from one extreme to the other this term, and Papiss Cisse has failed to fire, the on-loan forward hasn’t put a foot wrong during his five appearances so far.

At the back, fellow Frenchmen Mathieu Debuchy and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa have been erratic at best, as has Moussa Sissoko in the middle of the park.

However, in Remy, the Magpies appear to have unearthed someone they can rely on week in, week out. The on-loan forward has been the Toon’s standout player so far. 

His Handling of Pressure

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As Newcastle United’s only summer signing following the club’s brush with relegation last season, the pressure on Loic Remy to produce the goods was immense.

Thankfully for the forward—not to mention the club—the 26-year-old has hit the ground running and made a mockery of such burdens.

His performances so far have suggested he is a supremely confident player who is not afraid to take defenders on as well as shoot from a number of different positions.

Following their lack of attacking prowess at the end of last term, Remy’s belief in himself as well as his teammates is exactly what Alan Pardew’s team needed.