With December just a day away, transfer speculation will start to heat ahead of the winter window. Newcastle may look to solidify their Champions League push with a few solid signings.
The expectation is the Magpies will be patient in January and only pursue a marquee signing should one become available. The noise around a couple of targets in Leicester City’s James Maddison and Brighton’s Leandro Trossard continues to emanate.
It appears Maddison has forged a bond with the three Magpies in the England squad. Incidentally, both Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier came on in England’s 3-0 win over Wales. Next up is Senegal on Sunday.
Here is a clip of Maddison mentioning some gentle ribbing from Wilson, Trippier, and Nick Pope about the Boxing Day bout between the two clubs:
?| Love to see it #NUFC pic.twitter.com/cWyzVzrfGR
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) November 29, 2022
Maddison is currently nursing a knee injury and didn’t feature for Gareth Southgate in the group stage. The 26-year-old will have just 18 months left on his contract when the January window opens.
Time is also running down on Trossard’s deal at The Amex. The Chronicle is reporting Newcastle scouts have been tasked with watching the Belgian during the World Cup.
Trossard has been an impact sub for Roberto Martinez’s Belgium. They head into tomorrow’s match with their fate uncertain as they are currently third in Group F on three points. They take on already eliminated Canada needing a win to advance.
The attacker’s contract runs out in the summer though Brighton reportedly have the option to extend him which they almost certainly will trigger. Trossard turns 28 over the weekend and has also been linked with a reunion with Graham Potter at Chelsea.

59 comments so far
CLINT FLICK
Nov 30, 2022 at 9:52 AM
Comment #1.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 30, 2022 at 9:53 AM
Comment #2Alfonso Davies and Mbappé have stood out.
CLINT FLICK
Nov 30, 2022 at 9:56 AM
Comment #3France look a great TEAM & that might be enough this wc, again?
But, if the correct players for games go out on to the field, efc have a chance.
Gotta find a way to keep kane off the field tho’, slows everything down.
He’s a tyranny…the TEAM is better without him.
cyprus
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:05 AM
Comment #4Newcastle scouts tasked to watch Trossard cameos in the WC?!
They could watch a lot more of him on a weekly basis in the PL. So, that’s BS.
If I were an NUFC scout I’d sleep in on that watch. My report would be from experience, “he good, he could play in the PL” ;). Anyway, I’d sign the lad, definitely.
Have you watched Senegal? Some talent there (didn’t spot a new Mane) but totally disjointed. Should be an “easy” game.
cyprus
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:07 AM
Comment #5Clint,
Kane ain’t quite right but he’s still the best CF since wor Alan. Very dangerous player.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:14 AM
Comment #6cyprus,
I think Wilson would have been up there with the best if not for his injury problems, Rafa Nadal would have been the undisputed all time great in his field if not for his.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:15 AM
Comment #7cyprus,
They don’t need to watch Trossard, Ashworth knows all about him.
cyprus
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:19 AM
Comment #8Raj
Yes, shame about Wilson injuries. Hope he stays fit from now on.
cyprus
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:20 AM
Comment #9On Nadal he’s the undisputed great. Grand slams count and all that.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:26 AM
Comment #10cyprus,
I think it has to go to Djokovic
cleveleysbob
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:46 AM
Comment #11Southgate still not getting my vote.
A comment on tv “they’ve scored 9 goals” – agreed against Wales and Iran the 2 minnows of our group. How many did they score against USA? Oh that’s right NIL.
I will say, that the 2nd half after the subs and changes made a huge difference. Foden, Rashford and Wilson, pressing and harassing their defence was much more like it.
If the “forecast” is for us to get beat in the quarter finals – is that not regression? We were in final of Euros and Semi of last WC. How can you defend Southgate unless he takes us to the final? Only that is progress and only winning it is success. 🙂
hibbit
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:50 AM
Comment #12not sure Roger Federer can be dismissed quite so easily with his outstanding record,without even a mention,
cleveleysbob
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:51 AM
Comment #13On the Tennis issue it’s very hard to split the top 4.
Djokovic was supreme on hard courts and pretty good on grass.
Nodal was almost unbeatable on clay prior to his injuries, and good on other surfaces.
Federer was absolutely supreme on grass, and good on other surfaces.
Murray was good on all surfaces but was unlucky with injuries and having to play against the above 3. In almost any other era Murray would have been an immense champion.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:55 AM
Comment #14cbob,
You’re entitled to your opinion but no matter what he does bar winning it you’ll refuse to give him any credit, I’ve also got a feeling that if he does win it you’ll say it was in spite of him. I think he’s had a seriously raw deal from certain fans and I don’t even like the foo#er.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:56 AM
Comment #15hibbit,
My own personal opinion is that Fed is the GOAT but if it’s on slams and records then it has to be Djokovic, nobody in the open era has held all four.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:58 AM
Comment #16Let’s see how USA do against Holland before dismissing them as a minnow.
Mister Tuff
Nov 30, 2022 at 10:59 AM
Comment #17Shouldn’t have mentioned tennis. The blogs supersportsman will be on telling tales about him winning Wimbledon – then tall tales about his worldy sporting achievements, then rowing with everybody.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:01 AM
Comment #18We’ve promised to do some work this arvo before the France Tunisia game.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:03 AM
Comment #19Well has to be better than telling people he’ll thrash their bare buttocks with a cane while singing God save the King.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:05 AM
Comment #20I did have dinner with Annabel Croft. Does that count as tennis experience?
WLtoon
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:07 AM
Comment #21Well done England beating the Taffs, although the welsh are poor you can only beat what `s in front of you and on that score they did it with ease, Senegal will be a stiffer test but we should progress to the final 8, and that`s when it get tasty.
niafron
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:09 AM
Comment #22Bonjour Mesdames et Messieurs!
Brazil is the most impressive team i seen until now.
Defense, Midfield, attack, clear tactic and philosophy o play… don’t see any weakness.
Sure, there’s still the psychological dimension. Are they strong enough in their minds to win the tournament, we will see with the knockout rounds, but the question is the same for all other teams.
Mister Tuff
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:18 AM
Comment #23Davy short arse -stop your skiving on here and get some work done.
You need sacking, folk like you not contributing to the country.
cleveleysbob
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:19 AM
Comment #24Jail, I didn’t say USA were minnows, re read my comment . I said Wales and Iran were the minnows of our group, who we thrashed, but USA a step up, struggled to a goalless draw.
If USA had the ability to match their athleticism, they’d have whopped us . 🙂
As for Southgate, he’s undoubtably done better than all of his predecessors barring Sir Alf and that’s good, but he’s still (like us) won nowt. If he gets the formation and the right bodies onto the pitch playing the way we can, we’ll win this bloody thing and that will be true success. BUT, that means Southgate has to change from his “safety 1st” attitude and let the team go out and win. I’m not sure he can. 🙂
WLtoon
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:20 AM
Comment #25Belated Happy Birthday to Eddie Howe
CLINT FLICK
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:32 AM
Comment #26Cbob
I concur.
Cyprus
I really think they can do without him…he is a goal scorer, no doubt…i just feel he takes more away than he adds to this particular england team.
Tyranny players suck!
Kane, ronnie, messi, even shearer at the end of his career. They demand in…kills the youthful exuberance of team play.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:49 AM
Comment #27cbob,
No, you didn’t call USA minnows but you dismissed them out of hand when asking how many goals we scored against them, let’s see how the Dutch get on when they plat them before completely writing off the point against them that sealed outer qualification.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 11:53 AM
Comment #28Mister Tuff,
For the record, we get given jobs to do in the morning by the maintenance department which we carry out to a very high standard. It is up to us when we do these jobs and everyone is happy if they get done within their allocated hours.
cleveleysbob
Nov 30, 2022 at 12:06 PM
Comment #29Jail, you’ve got to get a better grip on English, I didn’t dismiss the USA, I dismissed England’s performance against them, saying we were incapable of scoring a goal against them. I’ve twice on separate posts said that if they had a bit more skill to rival their enthusiasm/athleticism they’d have whopped us. How does that equate to “dismissing them”?
I know your at work and probably skim reading on your phone, but a correction was in order 😉
cleveleysbob
Nov 30, 2022 at 12:33 PM
Comment #30And I’ve killed the blog, oops! 😀
Assassins Inc
Nov 30, 2022 at 12:43 PM
Comment #31Madison, here you go. Now you have to sign, Christmas Song, you don’t get this shite at Leicester.
It’s Christmas time, there’s no need to be afraid
At Christmas time, we let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of Newcastle we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the Toon at Christmas time
But say a prayer, Pray for the Geordie ones
At Christmas time it’s hard, but when you’re having fun
There’s a world outside your Leicester
And it’s a world of Toon and Cheer
Where the only water flowing
Is Newcastle Broon beer
And the Christmas bells that ring
There are the changing times of Toon
Well tonight thank God it’s us instead of Hartlepool.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Nov 30, 2022 at 12:59 PM
Comment #32Blog got a wooden stake through its heart!
Darnik
Nov 30, 2022 at 1:01 PM
Comment #33Liverpool would have been a better ending to that song
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 1:06 PM
Comment #34cbob,
No correction from me, I could tell from your first posts the way you are dismissing any achievement by the team because Southgate is in charge. As I said, it’ll take him winning it before certain fans will stop complaining about him.
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 1:07 PM
Comment #35cbob,
You’ve got me all wrong if you think I skim read posts because I’m at work 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Nov 30, 2022 at 1:08 PM
Comment #36And as I’ve said, even if he does win it, it’ll be because he couldn’t not win it with this team.
Vask
Nov 30, 2022 at 1:10 PM
Comment #37If England doesn’t win perhaps we’ll see a sequel to this:
https://youtu.be/KvZWGYkTR7U
CLINT FLICK
Nov 30, 2022 at 1:17 PM
Comment #38Please let ‘gland win it, just to get shot of that god awful ‘song'(?).
Adamn_92
Nov 30, 2022 at 1:20 PM
Comment #39I can’t fault Southgate in the way he manages to progress us through major tournaments. His record speaks for itself so far and is very good.
The only thing I don’t like is his squad picks which aren’t always picked on form. Phillips came on but he’s made 4 sub appearances for Man City, how can he possibly be in form to warrant a place in that squad? Others have already been talked to death about on here, like Maguire for example.
We got the job done last night and the second half way a good performance. Just goes to show that when we are a bit braver and press and take the game to the opposition, we get it done. I’d also still love to see Kane deployed just behind a striker, partnered with someone like Wilson. Kanes vest play comes from linking up and making chances from deep. Wilson would be making those instinctive runs into the box and be ready to poach. You just know that if Wilson was on the pitch at the time, he’d have been tapping in that Kane cross and not Foden.
Can’t complain too much with things overall, just hope we approach Senegal in the manner we approached Iran and the second half last night.
Adamn_92
Nov 30, 2022 at 1:20 PM
Comment #40Sorry that was longer than I though, coffee must have kicked in.