Newcastle United appear to be closing in on the signing of Lloyd Kelly.
Indeed, Eddie Howe is confident about signing the Bournemouth defender as well as Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo as Newcastle begin to prepare for next season.
Clearly, that has to be seen as a positive.
With FFP restrictions looming, the signing of two Premier League defenders on free transfers feels like a hugely positive step.
Howe has already talked about the “issues” Newcastle are dealing with defensively after a remarkable drop-off on that front in the season just gone.
They conceded 62 times in the Premier League alone, almost double the 33 they let in during Howe’s first full season in charge.
So then, the fact the defensive line appears to be getting a face-lift amid long-term injuries to both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles is obviously a boost.
Still, it would be wise to apply caution when it comes to Kelly in particular.
Lloyd Kelly’s injury record is not good news for Newcastle
One of the major motifs of the season just gone for Newcastle was the relentless injury crisis.
Such were the extent of the issues, the likes of Joe Cole suggested it cannot simply have been down to bad luck at the club.
With that in mind, Kelly’s injury record, sadly, leaves a lot to be desired.
According to Transfermarkt, he’s missed 81 games since joining Bournemouth in 2019 due to muscle, hamstring, ligament, calf and ankle injuries.
That’s not to say the 23-year-old wouldn’t be a good signing of course and not paying a transfer fee obviously lessens the financial risk but his record of absence is a worry given all that’s gone on with Newcastle.
Lloyd Kelly is already confirmed to be a free agent
While a move to Newcastle is seemingly looking likely for Kelly, there has been nothing announced officially.
Still, he is certain to leave Bournemouth at the very least after manager Andoni Iraola confirmed he would depart following the final game of the season.
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