Newcastle United were brought back down to earth with a bump last season after the highs of 2022/23.
By Sam McGuire
However, they finished strongly and, without the distraction of Champions League football combined with a much better squad, Eddie Howe’s men could, once again, be one of the surprise packages of the season.
What happened last season?
The Magpies eventually claimed a seventh-place finish after a positive end to the campaign. At one point, a mid-table finish would’ve been viewed as a successful season.
Newcastle lost 10 of their opening 21 matches and there were even some suggestions that Howe could be dismissed. The credit in the bank he’d amassed by guiding the Toon Army into the Champions League had been used up.
He managed to turn it around though. The Magpies lost just four of their final 17 matches in the English top flight to finish the season with 60 points and 18 wins. They were just eight points off of fourth-placed Aston Villa, and after a terrible time mid-way through the campaign.
Newcastle’s decision to stick with Howe paid off. A seventh-placed finish and a quarter-final showing in both the domestic cups is a solid enough season.
The Magpies had decent underlying numbers too. Only Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool could surpass their 2.2 goals per 90. Their Expected Goals haul of 77.1 was the fourth highest in the Premier League while they ranked first for Big Chances (134).
Defensively, Howe needs to work on improving this team. They finished the season with an xG Conceded total of 62. This was higher than the likes of Bournemouth, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, and Everton.
Alexander Isak impressed yet again, notching 21 goals in the English top-flight while Bruno Guimarães was, yet again, the main man for the Magpies. He finished the season with a FotMob rating of 7.65. Anthony Gordon also had a positive campaign for the Magpies, finishing the season with double-digits in goals and assists.
What has happened during the summer?
For starters, Newcastle made Lewis Hall’s loan move into a permanent deal. Howe has been reunited with Lloyd Kelly after the versatile defender left Bournemouth on a free transfer. The Magpies added Odysseas Vlachodimos to their squad to bolster their goalkeeper options.
The big one is yet to happen though. According to reports, Marc Guéhi is wanted and the likelihood is he will end up at St James’ Park. The mooted fee is £60million and it would be a statement signing after the centre-back impressed for England at the Euros and was linked with Liverpool.
The club has to sell Elliott Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to balance the books. The sale of Minteh looks to be a risky one given how impressive he was for Feyenoord last season and how good he’s looked for Brighton in pre-season.
There’s also talk that Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimarães could yet still be on the move.
Liverpool, Gordon’s boyhood team, want the versatile attacker while reports suggest Manchester City want the Brazilian midfielder. If Newcastle manage to keep hold of both, that will be as much of a statement as the arrival of Guéhi.
What they should be aiming for next season?
The Magpies should be aiming for European qualification. A top four finish might be beyond them but if they end the transfer window strongly, why shouldn’t it be an aim? Rivals are potentially in transition. If Newcastle are able to be as strong offensively as they were last season while improving defensively, they’ll have a chance.
Prediction: 7th
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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