Since Newcastle United’s exciting new takeover was completed in early October, the club’s supporters have been eagerly anticipating and awaiting the January transfer window and debating who the club might look to bring in to fully strengthen their squad but more importantly, improve their plight in the Barclays Premier League table.
Newcastle are currently in a perilous position in the table. Sitting in 19th place, with 11 points from their first 19 Premier League games this season, which equates to their worst-ever start to a league season. Of the 15 teams to record this many points or fewer at this stage in a season, 14 have tasted the drop.
This makes January a crucial period for the club and the hierarchy. An opportunity to address their weaknesses and try to find some quality and inspiration to kickstart the survival bid.
So which pressing areas do Newcastle need to address?
Defence
Bolstering their backline will surely be a priority for Howe, and they’ve already go stuck in, agreeing a £12m deal for Atletico Madrid and England full-back Kieran Trippier who will add a lot of quality, experience and winning mentality to Eddie Howe’s squad.
The England right-back will undergo a medical and is set to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with the option of a further year.
Newcastle have conceded 42 goals in their 19 games this season – only eight teams have ever let in more after as many games in a campaign. And the 80 they conceded in 2021 was an unwanted record for a Premier League team in a calendar year.
Full-backs are crucial to Howe’s game plan and, having worked with Trippier at Burnley, he believes the England international can bolster Newcastle down the right, primarily in attack with his crossing ability, but also in defence.
Newcastle have lost 19 points from winning positions this season. So Howe will need more, hence their heavy interest in a quality left-sided centre-back.
One of the names emerging is Sven Botman, the Lille centre-half. One of the most highly-coveted defenders in Europe right-now and on the radar of a host top clubs on the continent, the 21-year-old could prove a stunning acquisition not just for the here and now but for the future. Botman is assured on the ball, a powerful presence aerially and on the ground, fitting the profile of defender Howe is looking at.
Other similar profiles are reportedly in Newcastle’s thinking: Manchester City’s Nathan Ake, Sevilla’s Diego Carlos, Burnley’s James Tarkowski, Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly (previously worked with Eddie Howe). and Tottenham Hotspur’s Joe Rodon.
The club could also be looking to add to their roster at left-back, and are strongly interested in Everton’s Lucas Digne who are reportedly willing to listen to offers of around £25m for his services.
Midfield
Midfield is another of concern for Eddie Howe as he seeks for his team to take more control of games if they are to get out of their current rot. His former club Bournemouth ranked 10th for possession during his time there, and Newcastle are currently weak in this area recording the lowest possession stats in the top flight, having a knock-on effect in their creation of goalscoring chances.
Matt Ritchie – who was at Bournemouth with Howe – is their top chance creator from open play. He has played at left-back at times this season and it can be debated whether Allan Saint-Maximin should be classified as a midfielder or a forward, and Joelinton’s performance in a deeper role against Manchester United during the festive period was encouraging. But the point remains: Newcastle are not producing enough with the ball from the centre of the park.
According to Opta’s progress stats, measuring how well a team advance up the pitch in a spell of possession, Newcastle rank the third-worst in the league.
So who could Eddie Howe be looking at in this area of the pitch?
Boubacar Kamara, Marseille’s defender-come-midfielder, remains on Newcastle’s wanted list, although the 22-year-old appears set to leave on a free transfer in the summer instead. Lens’ Seko Fofana is among the others who have been watched, enjoying a remarkable breakthrough campaign in the French Ligue 1. Interestingly, Idrissa Gueye, who Newcastle made a loan bid for last January, has featured in conversations again, while Georginio Wijnaldum’s situation at Paris Saint-Germain is also being observed from afar, even if a Tyneside return appears unlikely
Other names being thrown in the ring, Manchester United’s fringe players Jesse Lingard and Donny Van de Beek have both been earmarked for moves on Tyneside, with both players looking to get much needed game time ahead of a crucial year with the World Cup coming up in December 2022.
While permanent moves may be unlikely at this stage, loan deals could be plausible which could represent excellent short-term business in getting in quality who could aid Newcastle’s quest for Premier League safety.
Other names being thrown into the ring are Chelsea’s Ross Barkley, and could Juventus and former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey be making a return to the Premier League, what about Phillipe Coutinho? All three of these names will certainly add experience, quality and cutting-edge to a lackluster Newcastle midfield.
Attack
Until last week, Newcastle’s area of strength was Callum Wilson and Saint-Maximin in attack. However, their injuries sustained against Manchester United will almost certainly force Howe to add to his squad in this department too.
Wilson, in particular, will be a major miss with his calf injury set to keep him out for some time. Of the 20 Premier League games Wilson has missed since he joined the club in the summer of 2020, Newcastle have failed to win 18.
So, another forward is desperately needed.
Some intriguing names are being thrown into the hat with Arsenal outcast Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reportedly looking to move away from North London. Will Newcastle be looking to pay his astronomical wages, what about Manchester United’s Anthony Martial who is also on the lookout for a permanent move away. Could he really be the man to fire in the goals Newcastle need, considering his inconsistencies at Old Trafford?
Another intriguing name reportedly on Newcastle’s radar is Blackburn’s Chilean hotshot Ben Brereton Diaz who has hit 20 goals in 25 Championship games so far this season. Blackburn are indeed unwilling to sell their starman, but they won’t say no to a reasonably sizeable bid for the 22-year-old. Brereton Diaz could be an outstanding outside bet to strengthen the club’s cause.
Newcastle’s season will be defined by their results on and off the pitch in January — they need wins against their relegation rivals and they need reinforcements to arrive. The window will be busy, it will be frantic and it will ultimately determine whether Newcastle can complete their great escape in 2022.
anthonyscouts.co.uk 