Evolution or Revolution? Are We Prepared for the Complete Dismantling of Howe’s Core?
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 28
Persistent rumours that both Tonali and Bruno could follow Gordon out of SJP, not to mention Isak last summer, could see the core of Eddie Howe's team dismantled.
When you add in the inspirational Trippier and potential sale of Nick Pope, that would remove over half of the team that qualified for the CL and won the LC in season 24/25.
Last summer was supposed to be the transfer window where we progressed to the 'next level' and became potential title challengers. Instead, we now face squad revolution.
Is Last Summer's Transfer Reality Hitting Hard?
My view immediately after the Isak and 'knock backs' from our top targets ast summer was that this could send out a demotivating message to our top players ie., that Newcastle's progress to that next level wasn't going to plan.
The euphoria of winning our first domestic trophy in 70 years and qualifying again for the CL fired up expectations that, with a bulging transfer kitty, the club could bring in the quality players that would turbo charge the squad and the first eleven.
Instead, not only did scorer in chief Isak demand a move away, but target after target turned us down and instead bolstered the ranks of the top teams we were trying to compete with and overhaul.
That was a sickener not just for Eddie and us fans... but also sent this reality message to our squad, and especially the elite and ambitious among them...
Newcastle aren't seen a s a top club by the top players.
Careers Are Short: And So Are Our Wages
Weekly wages well north of £200K are now the norm for the top players targeted by the established elite clubs - with £300K+ paid to the likes of Isak.
That level of wages is simply outside of what NUFC can afford under the strangling financial restrictions that the Premier League have imposed.
When bonuses for winning titles and trophies with those elite are added in Newcastle aren't at the races - although 1000's will be today, at Gosforth park for The Northumberland Plate. (Hot Tip: double up on Hoof Hearted & Ice Melted).
That sobering reality turns heads 180 degrees.
Take Bruno...
He'll be 29 in November and Arsenal are rumoured to be interested.
How is he thinking about the last few years of his career, like this...
He's done his job at Newcastle is a legend and gone as far as he can go.
He came to a team threatened with relegation and captained us to the CL twice and our first domestic trophy since Donald Trump was a bairn.
However, the LC is hardly a trophy to trumpet in retirement to the grandkids, PL titles, CL trophies and FA Cups are way ahead in the bragging stakes.
He now realises that his chances of the first two medals especially are slim, but going to Arsenal multiplies not only his chances but his wages too.
At 29 soon and with a few short years left of his career who could blame Bruno for thinking that the time to tear himself away from his beloved Toon has come?
As for the club...
Banking c£70M for a player nearing 30 with just two years left on his contract is a tempting option. At the end of next season he might only be worth half that.
Revolution Is Sometimes The Best Option
Evolution means changing things in small steps...
Revolution means an overthrow of the old and big sweeping changes.
But, revolution cam lead to chaos as often as it does to progress and stability.
If, and it;s still a big if, we lose Tonali and Bruno to add to Isak, Gordon, Trippier and possibly Pope and Willock... that means a revolution of the old guard has taken place.
The upside is that our transfer war chest will be overflowing.
That would mean a big influx of new players to join the revolution at SJP.
Would it lead to chaos or progress?
It's all down to recruitment.
We have to bring in the battlers and fighters that can win more wars and points than those they have replaced. And Commander in Chief Eddie has to rally the troops.
One thing is for certain... this transfer window will provoke a ton of debate and opinions, whichever way it turns out.
What do you think... will Bruno and Tonali both leave?
PS: News Just In: Chronicle reporting Newcastle have a "tiny transfer budget"
If true that could have a big impact on accepting offers for more exits.
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Yoane Wissa: From Toon Scapegoat to England’s World Cup Nightmare
If we have made a new contract offer to Bruno, it would most sensibly have to have been our best offer. You simply don't muck around your prize asset, unless of course if he isn't such a prize asset in the eyes of the club, and they wish to cash in.
From the account of Craig Hope it seems as though negotiations have taken place with Bruno's agent after they had approached other clubs over potential interest - thus giving them a bargaining chip. The implication being, he wasn't necessarily fishing for a move, more likely trying to secure his last big contract, and hopefully with us.
Straight to best offer would force Bruno's hand to quickly decide on his…
As long as people have been playing proffesional football certain players because of their importance to the team/club have been paid more than their team mates. Even during maximum wage certain players were paid off the books. It’s always been the case and unless you bring the same importance to the team most players know that and accept it.
Not all players at the big payers are on 250 to 300k a week there are huge differential in the salaries in even the top clubs.
Have we opened Pandora's box ?
Now we appear to be offering larger wages to Bruno that sets the level expected by the experienced end of the transfer targets.
As well the Agents of younger targets will smell the money
Our own squad will all be thinking the same .
Wissa nets twice, one a penalty for the Congo as they beat Uzbekistan 3-1
FFS he's scored more goals in one game that the whole Scottish team in the whole competition