Yohan Cabaye at Newcastle: Most Underrated Star of the Transfer Window?

Yohan Cabaye was one of the best young players in Europe last year at Lille. He was the midfield play maker and defensive midfielder at once, giving him a box-to-box role in a talented Lille side which had the likes of Hazard and Sow in their ranks. Cabaye is one of the best talents in Europe considering the level of football today.

Cabaye completed his transfer from Lille to Newcastle United early in the summer and was Newcastle's most expensive player that summer. Fans expected big things from him considering that he was largely overlooked by many who were praising the nascent Lille side for taking Ligue 1 by storm. The stars of the side were nit-picked and eventually two big players from that Lille side were gone.

On signing for Newcastle, Cabaye said, “I love passing the ball, the passing game.  I love having the ball at my feet, shooting at goal, defending, tackling and sometimes I score goals, too. Newcastle have a proud history of attacking football and I relate to that. I adore that. For three years at Lille, we worked hard at playing that kind of football and it brought us the championship. I hope it is the same at Newcastle. Looking after the ball is the best way to play the game, because you have the pressure, the advantage.”

It certainly has been for him as he has added class to a midfield severely lacking in much this season. Talisman Kevin Nolan has left the club and Joey Barton is misfiring. Cheikh Tiote will not offer much going forward. Cue Yohan Cabaye. He looks to be a brilliant signing for Newcastle with his skill and invention.

The first game: vs. Arsenal

Statistics

Most through balls of any Newcastle player (2)

A successful dribble, a turnover and a dispossession

Cabaye's stats don't tell the full story as his passes were in key positions and correctly timed. All in all, he performed well against an Arsenal side which does not allow players possession at all, especially the likes of Newcastle.

The Second Game: vs. Sunderland

Most Key Passes of any Newcastle player (3)

Most Crosses of any Newcastle player (6)

Cabaye did better in this game, showing off his passing accuracy and football brain. His pass completion rate was abnormally low for the amount of sheer end product that he produced, which shows that he is economical with the ball.

Against Arsenal as well as in the Tyne-Wear Derby, Cabaye was listed in midfield but seemed to be playing off Shola Ameobi and Demba Ba in a 4-4-1-1 formation. He looks like the creative focus for Newcastle United.