Newcastle United remain for sale. The latest attempt to buy the club has collapsed, but
there are still potential buyers in the market and there exists the possibility of a takeover
by a number of parties. For now, though, Mike Ashley still holds the reins and will have
oversight of any transfer activity; Steve Bruce will have an input, but no final say-so.
Newcastle often seem to be a club caught between aspiration and execution and, while some recent
transfer activity has hinted at a progression, marrying that with Bruce’s on-field pragmatism
has produced mixed results. While the safety first, counter-attacking style will likely
remain, with Premier League survival the priority for Ashley, Newcastle can rediscover the buy-low,
sell-for-profit transfer approach that once brought mild encouragement.
Bruce has largely used a three-man back line, and so finding players who can fit that system
is important.
Holding onto Martin Dubravka will be crucial – he was undoubtedly one of the league’s
best performers in goal – and there is depth at centre-back. Left wing back, though, must
be a priority, with only Matt Ritchie and Javier Manquillo capable of covering the position,
and Danny Rose uncertain to return to the club permanently.
Ahead of this, though, is Newcastle’s conundrum: do they look to play a more expansive game,
one that doesn’t rely on the pace and trickery of Miguel Almiron and Alain Saint-Maximin
on the counter, or stick with solidity and going direct? Either way, more goals are a
must: Newcastle’s leading scorer last season was playmaking midfielder Jonjo Shelvey with
six, while the first-choice front three managed just nine between them.
With that in mind, here are the three positions we think are key for Newcastle this window.
It’s hard to know what kind of striker Newcastle might want given the set-up may change next
season, but goals are crucial. If they want a predatory option who is less about hold-up
play, Wolfsburger AC’s Shon Weismann is a great option. He’s a superb finisher,
as 30 goals in 31 league games shows, and he also provided 5 assists. He’s only 5ft9
but strong, stocky, and holds off players well in and around the box. His movement is
excellent, with real bursts of pace to get in behind defenders. He’s a hard-working
presser and always reacts quickly to opportunities, and, at 24, he’s primed to move to a bigger
club.
Tifo’s selection, though, is Celtic’s exceptional young striker Odsonne Edouard.
He’s been linked with Premier League clubs already, and with good reason. Last season
he scored 21 in 27 matches, and also provided 9 assists. He’s taller and stronger than
Weismann, can link play superbly, but is still first and foremost a goal-scorer. Despite
this, his ability to play through passes shouldn’t be underrated, and it’s this dual threat
that makes him appealing for Newcastle. Should they move to a 4-2-3-1 more permanently, it’s
possible to see Edouard playing a greater creative role as well as getting on the end
of moves in a fluid, attacking front four that could even get the best out of Joelinton.
One potential option here is Strasbourg’s Anthony Caci. The 24 year old left back, who
can also play centre back, is a dynamic attacking option. He had some injury issues last season,
missing twelve games this season, but still managed four assists and one goal in just
under 700 league minutes. It’s hard to gauge him having missed so much game time, but he
excelled the season before, defends well, and gets the ball into dangerous areas.
Tifo’s choice, though, is a more established player: Freiburg’s Christian Gunter. A one-club
man, Gunter has long been one of the Bundesliga’s quietly outstanding left-wing backs in Freiburg’s
3-4-3, but has also played as an orthodox left back in a back four. Gunter provided
eight assists last season, and scored twice. He’s tall, dynamic, has played top level
football since he was 19 – barring one season when Freiburg were relegated to 2.Bundesliga
- and at 27 is in his prime. His range of crossing on the run is good and although he
could be defensively stronger, he would add leadership and experience at the back for
Newcastle and a lot going forwards.
This last position is a curious one, as if Newcastle retain the 5-4-1 then it may not
be needed. But Almiron is the only real 10 in the squad and while Shelvey is a good player,
he’s more of a deep-lying playmaker; Newcastle also need someone to link midfield and attack,
especially if Bruce goes with a 4-2-3-1.
With this in mind, we’ve gone for two versatile picks. Cruz Azul’s 21 year-old Roberto Alvarado
has played as a 10, a right winger, and a central midfield. He possesses a superb left
foot, and got four goals and six assists in last season’s Liga MX. He’s great at receiving
the ball in space and immediately releasing a pass, or at carrying it infield from the
right and sliding through passes into forwards. He’s a tricky, skilful player with high
potential.
The alternative is a central midfielder who can play as a 10, Laszlo Benes of Borussia
Monchengladbach. At 22, the Slovakian international is still developing, but has a superb eye
for the through pass, an intelligent pressing game, and an excellent set-piece delivery.
He managed four assists in 900 minutes last season, but could develop quicker at a club
prepared to give him minutes. With Florian Neuhaus extremely impressive last season,
Benes’ chances might be limited, which makes a move more possible.