PSR cost Newcastle United two Premier League points - or did they really gain four?
It just had to be Yankuba Minteh, didn’t it? Everyone of a Newcastle United persuasion should have emptied their bank accounts and lumped on him to score the first goal.
It just had to be Yankuba Minteh, didn’t it? Everyone of a Newcastle United persuasion should have emptied their bank accounts and lumped on him to score the first goal.
Do the Magpies have another 10 to 15 years of him haunting them twice per season? The kid has talent and is a reflection of the revamped scouting setup at St James’ Park since the Saudi-backed takeover.
However, he is also an indictment of the PSR rules that have frustrated Newcastle in recent times. If bagging in a 2-1 comeback win to knock Eddie Howe’s men out of the FA Cup in March was not enough, Minteh also dealt a blow in the Champions League race.
His deft swivel inside to dumbfound Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali before slotting coolly past Nick Pope gave Newcastle another glimpse of what they could have won. But more pressingly, the anger levels towards an outdated PSR system cranked up.
Cries of “red cartel” and “corruption” are far-fetched but it is hard to argue against the structure being geared towards the already-established clubs. That is a consequence - not a cause - with financial regulations brought in to avoid long-held institutions going bust.
Nevertheless, the Magpies have every right to feel aggrieved by the uphill battle that has faced them for almost four years. It only goes to show how much Howe has squeezed every drop of talent from his squad - and the stellar job he is doing on Tyneside.
Toon chiefs signed a relative unknown from the Danish leagues and loaned him out before netting a tidy profit a year later for £26million. On the face of it, this was smart business. The reality, however, was a panic-stricken 48 hours when Newcastle were seriously facing a Premier League points deduction.
The threat of a deduction is real after Everton and Nottingham Forest faced punishment last season. Interestingly, Forest were given a four-point penalty for breaching PSR by £34.5million - just £1.5million more than the fee Newcastle received for Minteh.
The same deduction would put the Magpies in eighth place - one point behind Aston Villa heading into the final three games. That should provide some solace to supporters who may believes Minteh’s sale cost Newcastle two points at the weekend.
It stings, it is far from ideal, it is frustrating. But it is what it is. This promises to be the last opinion piece dedicated to Minteh as some fans have rightly urged the press to stop crying over spilled milk.
As for the post-match comments and wild celebration? Ignore and move on. Minteh is clearly envious at not being given a chance to shine for a club on the up and boasting lofty ambitions.
Newcastle did not wish to sell him. PSR forced them to do so. Toon fans were craving to see him given a chance last year. His best course of action would be to remember that next time he goads them.