Transfer Review: Scores Out of 10

Newcastle United spent c£255M in the summer transfer window on Nick Woltemade (£69M), Anthony Elanga (55M), Yoane Wissa (£55M), Jacob Ramsey (£40M) and Malik Thiaw (£35M). Aaron Ramsdale was brought in on loan.

Alexander Isak's £125M sale meant our net spend was in the region of £130M.

With 19 games already played in all competitions this season and the 20th coming up away to Everton this Saturday - how have our signings performed to date?

Given that the summer plan was to improve the squad, create more competition and have rotation options for the Prem, CL and domestic cups, it isn't too early for a review.

Nick Woltemade - Record Signing @ £69M

It may be harsh but the key question here is... how does he compare to Isak?

Irrespective of his pre-season behaviour and poor start at Liverpool the fact remains that in a black and white shirt Isak was an outstanding ST and the type of genuine top quality player that the ambitious Eddie Howe wants at the club.

Losing him was a massive set back - unless Big Nick can have a similar impact and score a minimum 15 Prem goals and an extra 5 across cup competitions.

Goalwise he has started well with six to his name to date and he offers a threat in the air, hold up and team play that we rarely got from Isak.

On the downside he lacks pace, has yet to show the type of explosive shooting that was an Isak trademark, and his playing style has blunted our effectiveness on the break.

Still only 23 and with limited first team experience even in Germany, he has the potential to really benefit from Eddie's coaching and become the all round ST that Isak isn't.

But, irrespective, ultimately he will be judged on goals.

Rating: 8/10

Malik Thiaw - £35M

How ironic that the least costly signing would be the one that most fans would vote as the best performer from the summer transfer spree.

Some eyebrows were raised when a lower fee than we paid was originally agreed for his transfer back to Germany from AC Milan - but the £35M we paid now seems like a snip.

He has been as steady as a rock and as strong as one too, also showing a turn of skill and passing ability that has had the crowd purring.

Still only 24 he is exactly the type and quality of CB we needed to challenge and replace the aging Schar and Burn. The outstanding signing of the summer by far.

Rating 10/10 (I was going to give him 9 but I can't find a fault)

Anthony Elanga - £55M

Very disappointing, so far.

Considering he was signed as an upgrade on Jacob Murphy who had just had his best season at the club, Elanga has fallen way short of expectations.

The old Bullseye Jim Bowen saying of "look what you could have won" really applies when you consider our first choice at RW was Bryan Mbuemo.

That would have been the transformational upgrade signing that would have taken our attacking options to another level, especially as he can also play as a ST.

My concern with Elanga is that I don't see much other than electric pace; I don't see a trick or two, real technical ability, or variety in his play.

Unless Elanga somehow steps up and starts performing way above what he has shown so far - and he has had his chances in the team - then that £55M will look really steep for a player who might have to settle for a squad place.

Rating 3/10

Jacob Ramsey £40M

Highly rated when he burst onto the scene at Aston Villa and known for his direct running and ability to score spectacular goals, Ramsey was a surprise signing.

Reportedly, and reluctantly, sold by Villa to help comply with PSR he wasn't the type of signing who many fans thought would immediately challenge for a starting position.

Seen more as an upgrade squad replacement for Sean Longstaff, like Wissa, the start to his Toon career has been hampered by injury and he has yet to have a run in the team.

Willock was preferred over Ramsey by Eddie against Marseille and although Willock did reasonably well, Ramsey not getting a rotation start was telling.

Ramsey is 27 in February and like Elanga he has plenty to show and prove that his £40M fee was wise and money well spent. The jury is still well out.

Rating 5/10

Yoane Wissa

All we can say about Wissa is that he has been a massive miss.

For example; how different could our performance and result have been against Marseille if Wissa had played at CF instead of Gordon?

He will have missed 20 games by the Everton match and if he is fit for the Afcon, and goes, that is a huge chunk out of his Toon career for a player who turns 30 next year.

We are also still to hear a definite return date and that is slightly worrying.

Brutally; he hasn't improved the squad because he hasn't played yet and as good as his 19 goals were last season he has to repeat that form to justify his signing and fee.

Unrateable currently

Overall Transfer Rating: 6/10

Only two players, Woltemade and Thiaw, have made an early impression and produced a return on their transfer fees.

Compare that to the instant impressions made by Pope, Trippier, Bruno, Burn, Botman, Targett, Isak, Tino and Tonali when they first pulled on the shirt.

Only Gordon, Barnes and Hall didn't start firing immediately but they quickly came good.

With three out of five signings costing a total of £150M yet to have a positive impact on the team and performances I think a 6/10 rating for our summer business is bullish.

A less than spectacular transfer window is another reason for our less than spectacular Premiership form and league position. All round improvement is definitely needed.

IMO at least two players are needed to plug big holes in the squad - a top class keeper and another top class mid to stand in if Bruno or Tonali are out or possibly to replace Jo.

Miley as yet, Willock and Ramsey are way behind our current first choice mid three and if one of those three is out injured for a lengthy period it will cost us.

For the money we paid for Elanga and Ramsey - nearly £100M - much better value and potential could surely have been found outside of the Prem.

Comments welcome.

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