Harvey Barnes’ return to Newcastle United was a boost, and the forward gave the Magpies a sneak peek at what he will bring with him when he scored a goal against Luton Town.
“Leave a lasting impression.” Those were the words resonating in Harvey Barnes’ mind as the substitute for Newcastle United geared up to enter the game against Luton Town. Barnes indeed heeded the advice.
At the 73rd minute, Barnes displayed impressive composure, nearly guiding the ball into the net from beyond the box with his less dominant foot, equalizing the score for his team. It was the type of performance that justified Newcastle’s decision to invest £38 million to acquire Barnes from Leicester City the previous summer. Eddie Howe commented to the press after the 4-4 draw, saying, “That’s Harvey’s signature move. It’s precisely why we brought him to the club.”
After Elijah Adebayo put Luton ahead 4-2 at a startled St James’ Park, things had appeared particularly hopeless when Barnes took the field on Saturday. However, the summer acquisition went on to salvage a point for his side just when they needed it after Kieran Trippier had previously pulled one back. It seemed like a sneak peek into things to come.
Despite spending less than thirty minutes on the pitch, Barnes had more shots on target than any other Newcastle player (two), and only three of his skillful replacement’s teammates had more touches in the attacking penalty area (three). Barnes found someone wearing a black and white shirt on all but one of his passes. To consider that he hadn’t appeared in 132 days.
There was no decisive winning goal, with Barnes coming closest as his deflected attempt was pushed behind by Thomas Kaminski in the late stages. However, it was the type of performance that the 26-year-old could only have hoped for, particularly after enduring challenging times during his recovery from a foot injury. Barnes confessed, “It’s been the most challenging period in my football career.”
These words carry even more weight when considering that Barnes was absent from Leicester’s FA Cup final triumph and missed Euro 2020 due to a knee injury shortly after earning his first cap for England. Yet, they provide insight into the multifaceted pain Barnes has experienced in recent months.
Barnes initially aimed to make an immediate impact upon joining Newcastle, achieving a goal in his Premier League debut against Aston Villa. However, the winger found himself relegated to the sidelines, observing memorable moments such as the 4-1 victory against PSG in October. Conversely, he experienced helplessness during the team’s tougher periods, unable to contribute due to injuries and fatigue plaguing the squad. Barnes faced an additional setback when a foot issue delayed his comeback.
Newcastle opted for a cautious approach, prioritizing Barnes’ full recovery. This strategy may prove beneficial, as Barnes believes he has been operating at a level where he can make a significant impact, avoiding the consequences of a rushed return. This period of rehabilitation has allowed Barnes to scrutinize his game, delving into the intricacies of his role. Having scored 13 Premier League goals for a Leicester side relegated last season, Barnes aims for an even stronger return.
With Alexander Isak sidelined, Anthony Gordon on crutches, and Wilson recovering from his own injury, Newcastle is banking on Barnes’ fitness. Amidst a quiet January transfer window, Barnes’ return could provide the much-needed boost for the team.
Leave a Reply