With the injury to Sven Botman Newcastle will now be looking for a left-footed center-back who can come in and deputize for the Dutchman, who will likely be out injured with his ACL injury for the rest of this year.
Newcastle have been interested in 21-year-old 6ft 5ins tall center-back Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton.
It’s thought the fee Everton would ask would be at least £85M, and too much for Newcastle with the financial constraints of PSR.
Another center-back that has perked Newcastle’s interest is 20-year-old 6ft 3ins tall Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Lisbon.
The Ivory Coast star is right-footed, however, although he looks like an extremely promising player coming through the ranks at Lisbon.
Nottingham Forest’s 21-year-old Brazilian center-half Murillo is left-footed and has been playing well for Forest although he stands only 5ft 11ins tall.
With center-backs now being as tall as 6ft 5ins and taller, the Brazilian may not be tall enough for what Newcastle need.
Nottingham Forest may have to sell one or more players before the end of June, for PSR reasons, and in this case, Murrillo could possibly be brought in at a bargain fee?
Murillo has played 27 times for Forest since being brought in from Corinthians last summer.
Newcastle could be OK if we can keep both Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles fit through the end of the year since they formed a good partnership while Botman was out injured this season.
But with Newcastle’s luck, it’s almost certain one of them will pick up an injury next season, hence the importance of bringing in another center-back – probably a young central defender.
Both Paul Dummett and Emil Krafth have also shown, that if they are given a chance, they can do the job at center-back.
But Eddie Howe never picks them?
We also have Dan Burn, who is probably more comfortable in the left central defender position, than at left-back.
What do you think?
163 comments so far
Adamn_92
Mar 21, 2024 at 1:44 PM
Comment #41Munster
Most of Liverpools long passes are to Salah and Nunez in behind, utilising their pace. Not to a target man. Occasionally Nunez wins flick ons, but it’s the vast majority being played in behind with long passes.
Isak is fine at fast link up play on the half turn. We just don’t use it enough and force him to have to come super deep to link play from there.
We had a striker who was good at holding the ball up and playing with his back to goal, his name was Chris Wood and the majority of the fans hated him.
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Comment #42Munster@35
Haha not of my big favourites but a great singalong – first album great and seen them a few times
Still my favourite is ” I hope you meet again”
I like the sad ones – only found out a few months ago what it was exactly about- Davy Carton’s brother he never met – even sadder
Adamn_92
Mar 21, 2024 at 1:47 PM
Comment #43When we have a striker who can hold the ball up and play with their back to goal, like Chris Wood, most fans complain they aren’t good enough.
When they’re gone and we have an elite, technical, fast, skillful, fluid attacker playing striker…..fans complain we need a striker who can hold the ball up and play with their back to goal.
Fans are extremely fickle haha
lesh
Mar 21, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Comment #44Magscar
If you’ve been out of touch with PfC, you may well have missed one of your previously named favourites, helping the cause.
https://youtu.be/VQPD17v6eLU
Enjoy
Munster Mag
Mar 21, 2024 at 1:59 PM
Comment #45Mags I didn’t know that. Tragic.
Munster Mag
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Comment #46Mags I’ve now got the boys in my head!
The glory of her ass 🙂
We loved them in Uni
Munster Mag
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:01 PM
Comment #47Adam I know that….
That’s why I want a Nunez junior, if we can find one. Can work with isak or work alone, or be a sub.
Munster Mag
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:14 PM
Comment #48Without Joel and Co we missed the counter press this season too. That’s another reason I think Eddie will want a mobile “unit” up front, without going all Sam Allardyce on it obviously.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:21 PM
Comment #49@Adam92
Have said multiple times he’s an elite level goal scorer but the rest of his game needs work at times
The thing is the way we currently play the ball goes up to him a lot he loses it and it comes back onto us especially when we play away from home ( not just him almiron loses it a lot as well )
As I said we do have to find a way to get him in positions to score more as he clearly can score but I just think the way we play doesn’t get the best out of him (and I wonder if him chasing lost causes for 60 mins isn’t also causing injuries)
Maybe it won’t be such a problem next season if everyone is fit or tactics changed slightly
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:22 PM
Comment #50I’ve had a very disrupted morning (even mid post) so only been able to respond as and when but can see lot of posts about strikers
I’m not sure where we will go as regards this and alhough I haven’t caught up on everything there’s a lot of good points made
I can remember well Shearer coming in and everyone then expecting Ferdinand not wanting to play second fiddle ( as our existing No 9) would be sold therefore
They went on to play in a formidable partnership in a changed system
So there is the possibilty of a changed system after the expected postmortem except I doubt to 442!
Usually a club looks to buy a player to fit their preferred system ( and it’s a bonus if he’s versatile) but sometimes they are so good that clubs will look outside the box and try to work around incoming player – Haaland to Man City?
Given our mixed season and injury prone stikers ( and Wilson’s age and sell on value) in particular It will be an area that is under scrutiny for sure
However I would expect that as the recruitment team work a few windows ahead it’s unlikely that major changes to plans would emerge especially if Eddie is still here
Maybe there were already plans afoot anyway for changes as Wilson was even talked about as possible transfer out in January and for his and own interests i thnk we all expect he is due to go
An old fashioned No9 isn’t common nowadays and they are expected to be more than back to goal hold up play merchants these days and few fit the bill
If Wilson goes then whilst for expediency we took a calculated risk on Gordon stepping in as cover last season, as he isn’t a longer term option more as temporary fill in when called on I think a 3rd stiker will have risen up the priority list
So maybe 2 could come in ? but where does MInteh figure in our thinking?
There are so many moving parts so I await with interest ( and maybe just a little trepidation) to see where we go with this
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:24 PM
Comment #51Lesh yes I did catch that – off his first album – greati!!
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:25 PM
Comment #52@adam92
I do also think having Trippier as our main attacking outlet doesn’t suit Isak either
Trippier likes to float in these high crosses which Isak is never muscling a centre back to head in a million years
Feels a bit of a disconnect at times between what we have up front and what we try through build up play
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:25 PM
Comment #53Munster
🙂
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:34 PM
Comment #54Just musing but although Eddie isn’t ( or seems not to be) a fan of 4231 would that system solve a few problem for us with a more traditional No 9 with Isak in the 3
Tonali and Bruno as the 2 or with Joelinton there and one of them more forward
Willock and Longstaff and the young ones fitting in wherever
Barnes and Gordon in the 3 ?
Probably not going to happen 🙂
Assassins Inc
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:35 PM
Comment #55The thing about strikers is they don’t want to be sitting on the bench, someone like Toney or Solanke both will not take second fiddle to Isak.
So a young one with proven goal scoring ability say Santiago Giménez, this opens up the market in Mexico for fans which could be a good move and the club will look at the potential revenue that could bring.
Looking at the top three say, all have one middle striker and wingers that can score goals and create.
They also have play makers behind them that contribute with goals and assists.
I think we are good on the left, the right however isn’t very strong, we don’t have a Salah type, so right side for me, with a young middle striker like Santiago Giménez.
But we really need a play maker, that killer passer.
Munster Mag
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:38 PM
Comment #56Maddison, the one that got away
Hibbit
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:42 PM
Comment #57Munster
Maddison never got away he never wanted to come, that was the problem ,
Macas
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:42 PM
Comment #58Isak has a good goal record and has the ability to score goals from almost nothing. Having said that I think his overall performances, especially lately, have been quite poor in my opinion. So I don’t think he is that well suited to playing the lone striker role.
I’d like us to bring in a top quality right winger who is versatile enough to also be able to play up front, and a young striker who is fast and strong.
If Howe is still with us next season I think Wilson will also be here too.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:43 PM
Comment #59@Munster
Someone of his quality at no 10 would make a massive difference in chance creation, controlling games etc etc
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:46 PM
Comment #60WE need regular goals and assists from front 3 which is why Barnes came in and Miggy and Murphy will be upgraded – i like both but we need to match top 6 teams in this area as well
Adamn_92
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:47 PM
Comment #61LCBP
Yeah I think Isak isn’t the type to really thrive off of Trippiers floaty deliveries. Trippiers more whipped crosses or playing it into that 6 yard corridor would get better results. Similar to what Murphy likes to do.
It’s one thing that has been irritating this season, the desire to work it out wide to Trippier for him to cross it in. Where realistically Isak up top needs smarter through balls, balls behind to chase and quick link up type of play.
Hoping next season, with everyone fit and maybe some added quality to the first 11, we’ll see build up play and chances created that better suit his game.
Hibbit
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:53 PM
Comment #62Adamn @ 61
or picking up the knock downs off a quality CF if we’re going to continue with that style of play,
Munster Mag
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Comment #63The “working it out wide” to Tripps has become too predictable tbh.
Adamn_92
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Comment #64Hibbit
I hope we mix it up to be honest. So many times we slow play right up, to work it to the right hand side. It feels like we orchestrate too many attacks to be focused on getting the ball to Trippier.
I hope we mix it up a lot more next season and look to have more creativity in central areas.
Munster Mag
Mar 21, 2024 at 2:59 PM
Comment #65We don’t know whether Maddison wanted to come here or not. Either way I wud have loved him.
Hibbit
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:06 PM
Comment #66Adamn
i agree, i think far to much goes through Tripps, i would like see us mixing it up as you put it across the full width of the pitch, with not every thing having to go through Trippier,
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:10 PM
Comment #67When operating the low block Schar’s diagonal balls out to to a marauding quick front 3 ( as Botman can) was very rewarding can’t see whyTrips can’t mix it up with similar long balls at times
We do benefit from his lower crosses into box as Gordon/ Wilson/Isak and Barnes can capitilise on these – all about timing and accuracy and their pace
We have to mix up our attacking play whatever the system as pace is there and it’s somehing defenders hate
Tino also offers something different going forward as he’s good at carrying it and will benefit from some quvk nterchange of passes with midfield/front3
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Comment #68Munster
I recall last summer something about his prefernce being south not necessarily Spurs also I am not sure if also he wanted to operate as a no 10 and not clear how that would fit with us?
Good player but his preferences and wages demands meant we soon moved on although i do believe there was genuine interest in him
We might have been used as a stalking horse?
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Comment #69All we’ve got to look forward to this next few weeks is seeing AG turn out for England, no transfer news, no press conferences, nada. I just wish they’d announce the season was over and you can all start over in August.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:19 PM
Comment #70Toney does more than score goals, he also creates a lot of chances as well. That’s what I would expect him to do for us if we signed him. Same with Solanke. Wouldn’t see either as replacements for Isak but I reckon he would score many more playing with someone like either of them.
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:19 PM
Comment #71magscar,
There was definitely two official bids for him in August 2022. My opinion is that EA emerged as a definite PL prospect and we focused our targets elsewhere, any interest last summer was purely speculation.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/12040/12663672/james-maddison-newcastle-make-second-transfer-bid-in-region-of-50m-for-leicester-midfielder
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Comment #72EGB,
So you think Eddie H will change his 4-3-3 to accommodate an out an out CF?
Raj of Hailsley
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:25 PM
Comment #73Nice words from Bruno on AG
https://twitter.com/NUFCblogcouk/status/1770811948227039343?s=19
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:26 PM
Comment #74Jail
I don’t Eddie is as fixed in his ways as many think he is. I believe he has stuck to 433 out of necessity.
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Comment #75Jail
Mixed views on AG and England – great for him and well overdue but our injury jinx…………
Graeme
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Comment #76I’d gladly volunteer at 6’8″ – unfortunately, hitting 70 in July means I’m not quite as quick as I used to be lol
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Comment #77Essex
Yes I thnk there is a lot in that
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:29 PM
Comment #78I see that the possible return date for some of our lads nicely coincides with the WH game.
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:30 PM
Comment #79Graeme
At that height pace is just a bonus – just stay onside and the ball will come 🙂
magscar
Mar 21, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Comment #80Jail
On Maddison yes I think our firm interest was earlier but no way were Leceister looking to sell then
Lazy journalismwith no new leads ( and maybe agent) kept out supposed interest alive