Why Newcastle United's Yohan Cabaye Would Be a Star in Serie A

It was a summer of uncertainty for Newcastle United’s Yohan Cabaye. The midfielder saw his name linked with English Premier League leaders Arsenal and French champions Paris Saint-Germain, as ESPN FC reported.

The Gunners had a bid rejected for the French international, according to ESPN FC, but a new offer never materialised and the 27-year-old remained at St James’ Park. Having started the season in impressive form, Cabaye is now attracting interest from title contenders Liverpool as well as Arsenal, per The Express.

PSG coach Laurent Blanc is known to be a fan of the Frenchman after making his compatriot a key member of his France team when he was Les Bleus coach from 2010-2012. Having been thwarted in his attempts to sign Cabaye after suggesting that he was a high-priority transfer target shortly after his arrival in the French capital in July, per ESPN FC, Le President could return with a January bid.

A lot will hinge on whether or not PSG make another bid for Chelsea’s Juan Mata with a January bid reported in the Telegraph recently (h/t ESPN FC). But another coach who is now reportedly keen on Cabaye is his former Lille OSC mentor Rudi Garcia, according to The Guardian.

Garcia is enjoying success with Serie A leaders AS Roma following his summer move from France and is thought to be keen on the man who was integral to his 2010-2011 title-winning side for Les Dogues. Given the Giallorossi’s impressive start to the campaign, a move to Italy in January could prove difficult to turn down for the Newcastle man.

What does Garcia see in his former protege that suggests to him that Cabaye would be a star in Serie A?

For a start, the French international’s style is perfectly set for the Italian game. That also possibly explains PSG’s summer interest, given their strong Italian influence in midfield. Cabaye is an excellent passer of the ball and possesses fantastic technique, two characteristics that are vital for success at the highest level in calcio.

He may not be the most physical or quickest player, but his reading of the game is excellent, earning him the nickname of "France’s Xavi" from Blanc. In the Premier League this season he has two goals from nine games, providing one further assist. He could have been forgiven for struggling somewhat after those summer transfers failed to materialise, but Cabaye has remained in good form.

That consistency, also demonstrated in his recent displays on the international stage, make him a reliable influence and the perfect player to target when looking to rebuild a side. This is arguably what Garcia is doing at Roma at present. Despite the presence of the evergreen Francesco Totti and the in-demand Daniele De Rossi, there are no guarantees over the future of both.

Totti’s position would affect Cabaye little, but should De Rossi leave at some point in the next year, as suggested by ESPN FC, then the Magpie star could be the perfect replacement.

Garcia’s current starting XI is already awash with plenty of midfield talent, but he does not yet possess the deep-lying playmaker who helped bring him so much success with Lille in Ligue 1. Cabaye is seen as that man and, at 27, is approaching the peak years of his career.

If those years were spent in Italy, a country renowned for the longevity of its players, the Frenchman could be around for the best part of another decade and provide Roma with plenty of stability.

Garcia has also reinvigorated another former Lille player in the Italian capital: Gervinho.

The Ivorian was largely forgotten at Arsenal until his summer transfer to Roma, and although Cabaye has not endured troubles to the same extent, there are elements of his game that remain untapped while at Newcastle.

Gervinho has immediately become reminiscent of the player who was so integral to Garcia’s plans when at Lille together. His form is arguably one of the reasons that La Maggica find themselves at the top of the Serie A table at present, as he is joint-second in goals scored for the side so far this campaign.

Seeing this success, Cabaye may well be tempted by the lure of a title challenge, surrounded by familiar faces and the promise of what at present looks like probable Champions League football next year. There is also the question of first-team football.

The Frenchman is not necessarily guaranteed a place in the starting XI at Arsenal or Liverpool; there will arguably be more opportunities in Garcia’s familiar style at Roma. Assuming that a potential move materialises again in January, Roma and Serie A would undoubtedly appeal to Cabaye, and he would fit right in.

De Rossi and the Frenchman are two different types of player, but should the Italian leave either in January or next summer, Cabaye would offer Garcia’s midfield more creativity and would certainly not cost more.

Playing under the 49-year-old once again, the French international could become the key creator for Roma and provide service for Gervinho and the strikers by tapping into his strong rapport with the Ivorian.

Surrounded by the likes of Michael Bradley, Kevin Strootman and Miralem Pjanic, players as talented if not more than those he played alongside at Lille, Cabaye would thrive in Serie A.