What's the Best Move for Newcastle's Jonas Gutierrez?

There is no doubt that Newcastle United and former Argentina midfielder Jonas Gutierrez has undergone the toughest year of his life. Trivial football matters like being picked, staying fit or winning games pale into insignificance when real adversity descends, as the 31-year-old knows well. 

In September of this year, Jonas revealed to the world that he had an operation to treat testicular cancer, followed by gruelling bouts of chemotherapy. "I detected a tumour in a testicle. When I confirmed the cancer, I came home crying," he explained to Argentine television station TyC Sports, as reported by the BBC. 

Almost two months of hell followed, before Gutierrez could finally leave hospital at the start of November cancer-free and looking forward to the future. 

But where exactly does that future lie for the 2010 World Cup player? Most likely, Jonas will be lining up in the new year away from St. James' Park. Encouraging Twitter messages aside, the Premier League club's conduct throughout their player's struggle to get well has often been less than commendable.

The rift between the Argentine and his employers began back in January 2014. Having fought off cancer for the first time, Jonas was told he was surplus to requirements in Newcastle and shipped off on loan to Norwich City. Manager Alan Pardew in particular has taken heavy criticism for this apparent snub of the Magpies' loyal servant.

According to the Daily Mail, however, Pardew backed the decision made at the start of the year. "It was a pure football decision, and those are decisions that have to be made," he said.

"We’ve supported him and tried to do what we could when his illness was made known to us, before it was known publicly."

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Pardew underlined during his press conference that Jonas would be returning to training in north-east England, and that he would be happy to welcome him back. "We have been very supportive since the illness and hopefully he will come back all guns blazing. He is a great character and we miss him dearly and look forward to seeing him."

For all the manager's protestations that it was just business, just football, however, it is hard to see Gutierrez seeing the issue in the same way after overcoming the greatest battle of his life. Moreover, such a traumatic period could leave the Argentine wishing to stay rather closer to home. That is why a move back home to Velez suddenly appears a distinct possibility should he turn his back on the Magpies.

Cancha Llena revealed that, following his all-clear, Jonas lined up in training (in Spanish) for his first club. The midfielder played for the club's substitutes and reserves in a practice match in Liniers, and it was clear that he felt comfortable in his surroundings having received admirable support from the Fortin during his cancer battle.

Subsequent declarations to Telam were even more revealing. Jonas told the state news agency that he did not see himself playing in any other shirt than the Velez kit (in Spanish), further raising hopes in Buenos Aires that the man who won the league with the club back in 2005 could be set for an emotional homecoming.

It seems that Newcastle and Velez will be left to hash out some sort of agreement in the new year that will serve both them and Gutierrez, as the player looks to get his professional career back on track. Pardew's team hold his contract and the upper hand, but they must think of Jonas' overall well-being. A move back to Argentina is what the player wants right now, and it would take insensitivity even greater than Newcastle's behaviour back in January to deny him that chance.