The future at Newcastle United appears as uncertain as ever. Rafael Benitez’s departure is a clear indication that a takeover is unlikely, meaning the transfer policy is unlikely to change – despite the arrival of centre-forward Joelinton for a club-record fee of £40m.
Along with the manager, last season’s top scorer Ayoze Perez has exited St James’ Park after departing for Leicester City for a reported £30m. Owner Mike Ashley has arguably let his two greatest’s assets exit Tyneside this summer; though Ashley can at least be commended on pure business terms by making a £28.5m profit off a player who averaged a goal every four games.
Ashley acted quickly to replace the departing manager as he appointed Steve Bruce on a three-year deal – an appointment which has not been greeted too well by the fans up north. Another disappointment for the Geordie’s was the exit of loan signings Salomon Rondon and Kenedy who headed back to their parent clubs whilst Mohammed Diame was released from St James’ Park. For Bruce to avoid relegation substantial recruitment may be needed and without having to dip too deep into his pocket, here’s how Mike Ashley could invest shrewdly to keep Newcastle afloat.
It’s tough to remember when Newcastle last had a solid left-back with Paul Dummett steadily racking up 112 Premier League appearances over seven years. In that period the Welshman has contributed just two goals, with no assists, while only aiding a meagre 24 clean sheets.
The situation got so bad under Benitez that Matt Ritchie, a right-sided midfielder, had to fill in on the left side of a back five. It’s impossible to say whether Bruce will keep Benitez’s back five or shift to a four – therefore any new addition must be competent providing width for the attack while adhering to defensive responsibilities.
Angelino shone as an attacking outlet last season for PSV in the Eredivisie, though Manchester City have exercised his buy-back clause of £5.3m, but may consider letting him leave on loan. The 22-year-old left-back totalled nine assist in 34 league games, as well as a single goal. His average of 54 passes per game was exceptionally high, along with two key passes per 90. Though the wing-back also proved his worth in defence with a reasonable average of over two tackles and two clearances per game.
The Spaniard has Champions League experience, is a threat from set-pieces and would almost certainly claim the left-back slot for his own. The only possible sticking point is convincing the Premier League champions to let him spend a season at St James’ Park, as it’s likely he was resigned as cover for the perpetually injured Benjamin Mendy.
However, a suitable alternative, should Angelino be unavailable, is Pedro Rebocho from En Avant de Guingamp, who have just been relegated to Ligue 2. The Portuguese full-back performed admirably despite his side’s relegation from the French top flight. In 38 appearances the 24-year-old registered eight assists, with 1.7 tackles and two clearances per 90 minutes. His estimated value on Transfermarkt is £6m and if he is unprepared to drop down a division, he may be an astute investment.
Mohammed Diame was released upon his contract expiring for Newcastle, and although he failed to hold down a first-team position, he will need to be replaced. To add squad depth with a young midfielder, the Magpies may not need to search far.
Philip Billing was relegated with Huddersfield Town last season but still contributed well for a side that finished 20 points from safety. The Dane made 25 Premier League appearances last term and came away with three-man of the match awards.
Billing was not prolific in an attacking sense, contributing just two goals, though he was outstanding defensively. 2.7 tackles and two interceptions per game caught the eye in Huddersfield and at just 23-years of age, there is still room for improvement. He is a commanding presence in midfield at 6’4” and was dominant in the air, winning an average of 3.3 aerial duels per 90 minutes. Huddersfield’s relegation will mean Billing is available at a reduced price and Transfermarkt value him at £7m.
Another central midfielder who could be out the door this summer is Sean Longstaff as Manchester United have reportedly been flirting with the idea to sign the 21-year-old. Benitez gave Longstaff his debut at St James’ Park and the midfielder previously insisted he wanted to stay at Newcastle and develop under the Spaniard. Yet with Benitez gone, perhaps the Magpies will require a replacement.
Sasa Lukic played on 24 occasions for Torino in Serie A last season, though 13 of those appearances were as a substitute. Even so, he was able to provide two goals and boasted of a pass accuracy bordering on 90 percent. He wasn’t able to produce his best performances in his limited minutes for his club side but on an international level, for Serbia, he appeared in all six UEFA Nations League games as the Eagles were promoted from their group.
As well as performing well in midfield for the senior side, he also represented the under 21’s at the European Championships and completed more than 56 passes per game. At 22-years-old Lukic still has a high sell-on value and plenty of time to develop. He is not a strong physical presence but his ability to hold onto possession and develop play towards the attacking third are attributes of Longstaff’s the Serbian could replace. As well as this he is a steal on Transfermarkt with a value of just £4m.
Though more significant problems lie in replacing the forwards departing St James Park. Rondon has returned to West Brom and since secured a transfer to join Rafa Benitez in China whilst Perez left for Leicester City, meaning suddenly Newcastle’s attacking options appear sparse. The pair combined to provide or score 34 Premier League goals for Newcastle which was 80 percent of their 42-goal haul last season.
Kenedy has also returned to Chelsea from his loan and it is unlikely Dwight Gale will be given the nod to start in front of Miguel Almiron. Therefore, the Magpies need to find another winger or inside forward, as well as a striker to join them before next season.
An option whose surname may be familiar is Marcus Thuram, who along with Rebocho was relegated with Guingamp last season. As well as this, his contract is only valid for another season so he should be available at a reasonable price. In Ligue 1 last term, the 21-year-old netted nine goals and registered one assist. Thuram is able to operate either in the left side as a winger or forward, as well as featuring as a striker on occasions and with a six-foot-two frame, he’s prolific in the air. As well as this he is extremely comfortable dribbling at speed, averaging 3.2 dribbles past opposition defenders per game.
But he does have some issues holding up play as his control can let him down and his discipline has been questioned after receiving two red cards last season. However, this should not deter Newcastle as his characteristics are most similar to that of the departing Rondon, though he has a much higher potential for growth. With transfermarkt estimating his value at just under £9m, there is also plenty of room for a future profit to be made.
Outside of Europe, Diego Rossi has been highly impressive for Los Angeles FC in their debut campaign in MLS. Like Thuram, Rossi is 21-years-old, though the Uruguayan is only comfortable when deployed out wide. But in 19 appearances in MLS this season he has managed 10 goals and four assists whilst maintaining a pass completion of over 83 percent.
He would fit naturally on the left of an attacking trio, as Benitez deployed previously, cutting inside to fire longshots off his right foot or search for a key pass to provide a goal-scoring opportunity for his side. He may not wish to leave LA FC so soon after joining, but the lure of the Premier League would be tempting and Transfermarkt has him valued at just under £8m.
Ollie Watkins is another name being touted with a move to the Premier League; but with reported competition from Crystal Palace and Sheffield United, it may be wise to avoid paying an inflated price for the Brentford winger.
Replacing Rondon’s industrialism will be a challenge, but the Magpies hierarchy should look to the Championship to do so at an affordable price. The most likely option is Swansea striker Ollie McBurnie, who at 23 has earned a reputation as an energetic yet prolific goal scorer in the second tier. The Scot scored 22 goals in 42 appearance’s last term as he fronted a Swansea side that surprised a few to miss a play-off spot narrowly.
Aerially dominant yet also competent finisher on the ground McBurnie is a dual-threat as a striker. His hold up play would be excellent at bringing Almiron into attacking areas, though his passing does occasionally let him down; though his willingness to press and contribute defensively would likely make him a fan favourite on Tyneside. Transfermarkt value him at around £8m, but Swansea may hold out for a more substantial sum to relinquish their prized asset.
It’s difficult to find any other strikers who are both a reasonable price and would help Newcastle get promoted if they happened to be relegated. Making the singing of someone such as Mario Balotelli on a free transfer would involve paying exorbitant wages, and he is hardly the character required to ensure survival. That is why McBurnie fits so well, not only is he prepared to work on the pitch but he appears to have the mentality to attempt to bring the Magpies back up should they go down.
Even if Ashley were to sign every player suggested here, it would cost him in the region of £42m, yet the squad would be revitalised with youth. Other sides, such as Bournemouth, have proved it is possible to maximise revenue in the Premier League with a well scouted but inexpensive squad. If the neglect at Newcastle continues, a third relegation under Ashley’s ownership looms. For his own sake he should make some intelligent investments to allow him to sell the club for a considerably larger amount, should he ever stay true to his word.
