Adding a quality striker this summer is thought to be Newcastle’s number one priority. According to Mark Douglas of inews, that is most definitely the case.
Newcastle have at times lacked a significant threat upfront in Callum Wilson’s absence. While Chris Wood has contributed significantly to the recent surge up the table, he has found the back of the net just twice in 15 appearances.
Adding another consistent source of goals would significantly upgrade this squad. Along with a few other quality additions, that should help propel Newcastle into a top ten contender or even higher next season.
That appears to be the plan – to add quality over quantity. The net outlay could be significantly less than what was spent in January when five players were brought in for around £90m as there will have to be players offloaded which could bring in some money.
Newcastle did not make enough room for the new signings as Isaac Hayden, Jamal Lewis, and Ciaran Clark remain at the club but are not part of the 25-man squad. Loan moves were found for Jeff Hendrick (QPR) and Freddie Woodman (Bournemouth).
Douglas is reporting that Hayden, Clark, Dwight Gayle, Karl Darlow, and Matt Ritchie will be made available this summer. Even if successful on these five, Newcastle will still need to find more room to avoid having a surplus.
Newcastle will reportedly listen to offers for Miguel Almiron and captain Jamaal Lascelles. Howe may prefer to keep them on board as he seems to really like both players. Though they may not get the amount of playing time they might desire next season.
There are also the senior players away on loan to consider. Hendrick and Woodman may not be in Howe’s plans for next season. Matty Longstaff recently turned 22 and another loan spell may be the best option for the local lad.
183 comments so far
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 4:01 PM
Comment #81Assassins
Before he went to Chelsea he was one of my favourite young and potentially great strikers across Europe. I bought him many times on the likes of Football Manager and FIFA/PES.
He smashed it in the German league and I honestly think it’s just a confidence thing with him. He has all the right attributes to be a great pacey striker but his confidence is shot.
I’d defo take a punt and maybe it would be at a decent price.
I love Pulisic as well and he would be great on our right side
Ginolas shampoo
May 3, 2022 at 4:01 PM
Comment #82Slow and steady change is also to make sure we keep performing – lots of disruption (especially as we being in new staff/facilities etc) can be destabalizing and take time to gel
If other clubs spend a lot it is not necessarily a sign of gross immediate improvement – they could be spending just to stand still (ie replace an outgoing or loan or retiring player) or spend unwisely (e.g. Evertons signings or Lukaku) or have their signings take time to bed in (e.g. Keita didn’t instantly improve Liverpool it wasn’t till a few seasons later)
cleveleysbob
May 3, 2022 at 4:03 PM
Comment #83Long time since I drank Fine Wine. Used to, a lot, possibly too much 😀
Decided I’m taking Mrs to Marbella for our 50th. We’ve got some favourite restaurants around there and one in particular has a gorgeous selection of “Ribera del Duero” which if you haven’t tried it, I heartily recommend.
I’m keeping everything crossed that all goes well, or I might never get her out of the house again 🙁
Ginolas shampoo
May 3, 2022 at 4:05 PM
Comment #84I don’t think Chelsea’s financial situation will be for too much longer. They will have new owners and stability again soon so don’t think Mount will be realistic (and if he was available he could go to today’s elite clubs)
The players on the fringes maybe but they all seem to have issues of some sort – Hudson Odio and workrate/attitude, Loftus-Cheek injuries, Kepa temperament and technique in goal, Werner composure etc. If Eddie can work on them I’d be happy, but wouldn’t be my first choices
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 4:07 PM
Comment #85A couple of familiar faces. Can you see them?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FR14jqMXMAAgfPH?format=jpg&name=large
Looks like one is interested in being a manager/coach
CLINT FLICK
May 3, 2022 at 4:09 PM
Comment #86A load of players Lose rhythm and/or confidence with other clubs not playing them enough.
Ginolas shampoo
May 3, 2022 at 4:10 PM
Comment #87Some of Chelsea’s other youngsters would be interesting though – Gallagher, Levi Colwill, Broja, Anjorin, Gillwell, D Sterling, Maatsen….A couple of those would be great imo!
Ginolas shampoo
May 3, 2022 at 4:14 PM
Comment #88Clint Flick – fair point with losing rhythm, I’d say Van Der Beek was one of those and Lingard too. But for Loftus Cheek, Kepa, Werner I think they have had lots of opportunities
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 4:14 PM
Comment #89Totally agree with Pep here and can’t believe he got asked the question
SPORTbible
@sportbible
·
42m
“Will you do the Guard of Honor to Real Madrid tomorrow as they won La Liga?”
Pep Guardiola: “No… This issue does not concern the Champions League. I have nothing to say.”
“So, won’t you give Real Madrid a Guard of Honor?
Pep Guardiola: “This is a UEFA competition…”
Adamn_92
May 3, 2022 at 4:14 PM
Comment #90Squad harmony is definitely a key part of success that we need to stay on top of. I think not breaking the average wage by very much and not signing too many players too quickly is key to that. Keep every member of the squad happy and not feeling undervalued or overlooked.
I look at Chelsea as an example of how important squad harmony is. They were doing fine for the first half of the season, no issues in ownership and Lukaku was being used a lot more and hadn’t given any stupid interviews mentioning Inter Milan.
Fast forward to now, there was a big shake up due to ownership, Lukaku is unhappy and must of had a fall out with Tuchel, Rudiger is off to Real Madrid, players out of contract coming up. It’s not looking quite so good and their form and general performances are now a lot more unpredictable and mixed. Can throw Manure into that as well as they’ve lacked any sort of harmony in squad and club for a while now and look at how far they’ve fallen.
The difference I see there (Chelsea) is the harmony of the squad and club. As soon as they were disrupted, Chelsea haven’t been doing as well as they were in the first half of the season, before these events took place. That’s why I think slow and steady is key as it’ll keep any disruptions to a minimum and I think keeping everything as smoothly and happy as we can is going to be key in us making the progress we want to.
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 4:18 PM
Comment #91Tuchel never wanted Lukaku he was put upon him. Lukaku knew this and even tho he started at the beginning he then started to be left out and it was then he did the interviews which made things worse. Rotten club anyways as they all got Mourinho sacked.
Adamn_92
May 3, 2022 at 4:26 PM
Comment #92https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/04/08/tuchel-on-believing-in-lukaku-and-an-update-on-kante-and-jorginh
‘We wanted Romelu and we bought him because we believed in him, and still do,’ Tuchel explained.
I think it’s only pundits and media guessing Tuchel didn’t want him. Tuchel himself seems to suggest he wanted him as well as the club by using the collective ‘we’.
Anyway, my point still stands that all the disruptions at Chelsea has seen their form drop second half of the season. Which to me shows how key keeping the squad happy and keeping the club free of disruptions is very important.
jane
May 3, 2022 at 4:32 PM
Comment #93“A couple of familiar faces. Can you see them?”
i can only see 1 of them. why are there no women in the photo?
jane
May 3, 2022 at 4:38 PM
Comment #94“They were doing fine for the first half of the season, no issues in ownership”
i think Chelsea’s form dropped in November
“In the 13 matches since the start of November, when performances and results have been significantly weaker”
https://metro.co.uk/2022/01/19/why-chelseas-poor-form-runs-deeper-than-thomas-tuchels-tired-excuse-15946673/
Raj of Hailsley
May 3, 2022 at 4:38 PM
Comment #95Adamn_92,
Aye, it looks like that is accredited to the sage that is JJ Jenas, I’m sure the board wouldn’t undermine a guy who’d just won the CL.
captainmarvel
May 3, 2022 at 4:40 PM
Comment #96I am certain we will get the players we need to avoid what we have endured this season. Whoever we get is down to some very astute people now in control at the club.
I am also certain that the players we see signed will be players that are driven and fit into the team ethic that Eddie has built..
Adamn_92
May 3, 2022 at 4:44 PM
Comment #97Jane
Jeez it goes back further than I though. They’ve seemed very up and down this year when i’ve seen them but didn’t know it went as far back as November.
Jail
Think I saw another pundit mention it too, can’t remember who though. Tuchel seems to suggest otherwise but guess it’s a case of who do you believe.
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 4:46 PM
Comment #98Adam
Ofc he is going to say that to the outside world.
He wasn’t his choice 100% and he was shoved upon him. That will have a detrimental effect to any playing squad.
Tyran21
May 3, 2022 at 4:47 PM
Comment #99TOM
Watched AC Milan sometimes, Rafael Leao pretty much carries the team. He is kinda like ASM, but less fancy and more direct. Don’t really track back or press much either.
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 4:48 PM
Comment #100Jane
Good question but obviously the answer is we don’t have women managers/coaches in the men’s game.
Who did you see? Rafa? There is an ex player as well
jane
May 3, 2022 at 4:52 PM
Comment #101is the ex-player 2nd from the left in the front row? his face looks familiar.
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 4:53 PM
Comment #102Yohan Kebab Jane 😉
jane
May 3, 2022 at 4:53 PM
Comment #103“the answer is we don’t have women managers/coaches in the men’s game.”
strange how that’s the case.
ToonDarnSarf
May 3, 2022 at 4:54 PM
Comment #104Mund – had to look at that screenshot with Rafa in the middle. Is that Steve Howey in the bottom left? A few others look familiar too but could just look like someone else. The guy to his left looks like someone that I can’t quite think of.
clinath@ed
May 3, 2022 at 4:55 PM
Comment #105If, a big if, I was a professional footballer, I would not enjoy working for Tuchel. His constant anger from the sideline is distracting and draining. He never seems happy with his players.
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 4:57 PM
Comment #106Jane
It is what it is
TDS
Had to go back and check I didn’t miss someone but no, no Howey.
clinath@ed
May 3, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Comment #107Chelsea’s Mount? Never been a big fan, always though he was overhyped by the London press…a poor man’s Foden if I’m honest.
Having said that, I’d take him.
ToonDarnSarf
May 3, 2022 at 5:01 PM
Comment #108Mund – Fair enough. Looks a fair bit like him though. Who’s the guy to his left? I wouldn’t recognise Cabaye above him at all to be honest. Ok, he’s a square jawed, handsome chap but I don’t recognise him with that grimace!
ToonDarnSarf
May 3, 2022 at 5:03 PM
Comment #109clinath@ed – A poor man’s Foden is a bloody good player though!
Mount is an excellent player but Foden is currently one of the best players in the world in his position, especially if you compare him to people of similar age. Good news for England when we’ve got players like these two who are both young.
Raj of Hailsley
May 3, 2022 at 5:07 PM
Comment #110Some patsy that Tuchel mind:
Thomas Tuchel has claimed Romelu Lukaku is the “perfect” signing for Chelsea due to his versatile game.
“We’re very happy to have Romelu back at the club, personality, speed, power, he can be an excellent choice for us, an excellent addition,” Tuchel said at his pre-match press conference. “He has the power, the physique to help us, the experience, the personality to have a huge impact. He’ s a humble guy, a true team player and cares about Chelsea”
Romford mag
May 3, 2022 at 5:09 PM
Comment #111Yes it is strange there’s no female managers or coaches in the men’s game !
Because blokes should be used to getting bossed around by women 😉
That’s only a joke by the way before I get accused of being sexiest ! 🙂
Raj of Hailsley
May 3, 2022 at 5:09 PM
Comment #112captainmarvel,
“I am certain we will get the players we need to avoid what we have endured this season”
Excellent insight as to what our new ambitious owners plans could be.
ToonDarnSarf
May 3, 2022 at 5:23 PM
Comment #113Are there really no female managers or coaches in the male game? I’d bet there are some. Professional game though? Surely must be some coaches although perhaps not managers, certainly not at the higher levels. There must be physios, sports scientists and the rest so I’d have thought there would be some coaches too. Fitness coaches? Coaches for particular positions? Only a matter of time before one breaks through to become a prominent coach and eventually a manager. No reason why not really.
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 5:27 PM
Comment #114Good words from Tuchel but he still wasn’t his choice
ToonDarnSarf
May 3, 2022 at 5:30 PM
Comment #115There you go. There is a female football manager: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renate_Blindheim
And there was https://www.thescore.com/fran/news/940039 before too as well as several others.
Obviously not common but it’s happening.
As of 14th Jan this year though, apparently there wasn’t a single woman as part of the coaching staff for the first team in the Premier League…
CLINT FLICK
May 3, 2022 at 5:30 PM
Comment #116Aye
Strange that men inhabit the women’s game, bug not the other way round…
There have got to be some great female coaches out there.
But, then again, how many black/brown coaches?
Slow old world…catch the f@#£ up!
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 5:31 PM
Comment #117Does nobody remember the female physio for Chelsea? The big story about Mourinho going offit on the sidelines at her
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 5:32 PM
Comment #118Check out this blokes weapons!
https://mobile.twitter.com/ryanherrick1000/status/1521218354534662144
Wow!
Mund
May 3, 2022 at 5:33 PM
Comment #119I wouldn’t like to have him as my partner in a midget throwing contest 😉
jane
May 3, 2022 at 5:39 PM
Comment #120https://youtu.be/0-Z1RTs_Vz8