Newcastle, under the management of Eddie Howe, are gearing up for their fifth transfer window in January. The 2023/24 season has already seen some remarkable moments for Newcastle United fans. They began with a resounding 5-1 home victory against Aston Villa, scored an astonishing eight goals away against Sheffield United, eliminated Manchester City from the Carabao Cup, and notably defeated PSG 4-1 in their first home game back in the Champions League.
Despite currently holding the eighth position in the league table, Newcastle supporters have plenty of reasons for optimism in the early part of the season. This is especially admirable considering the challenging series of fixtures they’ve faced. The international break comes as a welcome respite for Eddie Howe’s squad as they adapt to the demanding schedule of juggling both European and domestic commitments. Injuries to key players such as Sven Botman, Joelinton, Joe Willock, and Harvey Barnes have tested the team in the early stages of the season. Moreover, the intensity of their matches is expected to rise in the upcoming weeks and months, particularly if Newcastle successfully advance from the challenging ‘Group of Death’ in the Champions League.
The international break presents a golden opportunity for Eddie Howe and his scouting team to fine-tune their squad in preparation for the January transfer window. With this in mind, we’ll examine the key areas that Newcastle needs to strengthen during the winter transfer window.
What Newcastle need to do in the January transfer window
Eddie Howe is gearing up for his fifth transfer window as the manager of Newcastle, and he faces a significantly different challenge compared to his initial arrival less than two years ago. When he took over, the team was struggling with confidence and embroiled in a relegation battle, having conceded a record 80 goals in the calendar year of 2021 and failing to secure a victory in their first 14 games.
Back then, Newcastle needed Premier League experience and leadership, which they acquired through signings like Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett, and Bruno Guimaraes. In the next phase of Howe’s plan, they brought in star quality with marquee signings such as Sven Botman and Alexander Isak, along with an experienced goalkeeper in Nick Pope.
Subsequent transfer windows have primarily focused on youth and building for the future, with additions like Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, and Sandro Tonali. While the squad now boasts depth in most areas, central defense appears to be a weak point.
Last season, Newcastle had their best defensive record in the Premier League era, conceding just 31 goals, matching champions Manchester City. Sven Botman and Fabian Schar formed a stable partnership during that time, but injuries have disrupted this pairing during the current season. The team’s vulnerabilities at center back were exposed in recent matches against Brighton and West Ham when Botman was absent.
Currently, Newcastle has only two center back options, Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett, with Dan Burn playing in the left-back position. Although Lascelles and Dummett are respected leaders, it’s evident that Newcastle needs an upgrade in this area.
Several names, including Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen and Antonio Silva from Benfica, have been linked with potential moves to Newcastle. However, Fikayo Tomori stands out as a perfect fit for Howe’s team, as demonstrated during AC Milan’s 0-0 draw against Newcastle, where he effectively neutralized the threat posed by Isak. Tomori has a history of impressive performances on the European stage and played a key role in helping AC Milan reach the Champions League semi-finals last season.
Tomori brings valuable experience from his time in England and with Chelsea, where he was part of a successful environment. His exceptional speed and athleticism make him an ideal fit for Howe’s high-pressing system. While he is highly regarded at AC Milan, his acquisition could pose a challenge due to potential financial fair play (FFP) regulations.
Another potential solution could be Joachim Andersen of Crystal Palace, who has started the season in outstanding form and is a crucial player for the Eagles. He offers height at 6ft4 and is known for his ball-playing abilities. There have been reports that Newcastle may make another attempt to sign him in the upcoming January transfer window after a bid was rejected last summer.
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