A £35 million player who has scored over 100 goals for the club was sold by Newcastle United.
Following the PIF takeover in 2021, Newcastle United has undergone a complete transformation, with the club’s expectations being shifted from being a bottom-half contender to a top-four contender.
Eddie Howe was a smart choice to lead the team into a new age, and the Magpies have made some smart additions to the team, including Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, and Sven Botman.
There are still players on the roster from Mike Ashley’s era at St. James’ Park, including Javi Manquillo and Emil Krafth
on the books, but largely speaking, Howe has succeeded in turning some pebbles from the previous government—like Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, and Fabian Schar—into diamonds.
Nonetheless, Newcastle remains troubled by some of the choices made under Ashley’s leadership, most notably the sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has flourished since leaving the Northeast of England.
The reason Newcastle sold Vladimir Mitrovic
After scoring twenty goals in a season for Anderlecht in the Belgian Pro League, Mitrovic moved to Newcastle for £13 million in 2015.
Regretfully, for the Serbian international wearing a Newcastle shirt, things never quite clicked. In his first season in the top division of England, Mitrovic scored nine goals, but over his two and a half years with the Magpies, he only managed five more.
the group His career was eventually rejuvenated by a loan move to Fulham, which later resulted in a £35 million permanent contract.
During Fulham’s 2021–22 Championship title victory, the striker had a record-breaking season under Marco Silva at Craven Cottage, scoring almost 100 goals in double the number of games. He scored 43 goals in 46 second-tier outings.
Two seasons ago, Mitrovic’s incredible goal-scoring record even won over former Manchester United and Fulham striker Louis Saha, who labeled the Serbian as a “old-fashioned” striker and was thoroughly delighted by his total.
Because of Mitrovic’s skill set, Al-Hilal of the Saudi Pro League made an offer of £50 million for his services during the summer transfer window of 2023, which Fulham’reluctantly’ accepted were given a setback on Wednesday night when they played Borussia Dortmund in the European Cup.
Star striker Isak, who has seven goals this season, had to be replaced early in the match because of a groin injury. The Swede may miss the next four matches, which include matches against Man United in the Carabao Cup, Arsenal in the Premier League, and Dortmund again in the Champions League, according to head coach Howe.
With seven goals in nine league games this season, Callum Wilson has established himself as a reliable backup for the Magpies, but one can’t help but wonder what could have happened if Newcastle had hung with their faltering Serbian striker.
Mitrovic’s figures upon his relocation to Saudi Arabia Following his relocation to Saudi Arabia, the 29-year-old The former Newcastle center forward has continued his excellent form, scoring 12 goals in 14 appearances this season.
Only five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more goals than Mitrovic. The former Newcastle player is averaging 4.1 shots per 90 in the Saudi Pro League this term as well as 0.91 goals per 90, according to FotMob, meaning Mitrovic is striking gold at least once every four to five shots.
Additionally, Mitrovic participates in 7.5 aerial duels per 90, winning 66.7%, and completes ten touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, according to FBref. Wilson, for comparison, has 2.34 aerial duels per 90 with a 36.4% success rate and 7.02 touches in the opponent’s penalty box per 90.
‘the diamond’ that The Guardian’s Jonathan Wilson predicted Mitrovic to be more than eight years ago. However, at his prime, the number ‘9’ has turned into a threat in the penalty area.
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