Written By: Robin Van Paassen
Edited By: Matt Conciatori
On October 7th, a long sigh of relief came for Newcastle United fans as new beginnings are on their way. After just over a decade of ownership, St James Holdings Limited, sold their problematic controlling stake in the club. With many years of poor performances in England’s top flight and two relegations which had fans frustrated, there was no certainty of positive direction at Newcastle United. The Board of Directors immediately sought the idea of putting the club on sale. Newcastle's continuous mediocre finishes outside of the top ten garnered interest from the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund as the club held an attractive, relatively low market value. Despite scandals of broadcasting piracy in recent years through affiliation with beoutQ, an illegal simulcast of programs broadcasted by the Qatari-based company beIN Sports talks moved forward. Proceeding months of negotiation and scrutiny from the Premier League over sports washing alongside other matters, Newcastle owners struck a $415 million deal (303.711 Pound sterling) completing the takeover. Cash strapped with billions of dollars; the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund has the potential to turn Newcastle United into a behemoth as Manchester City has done in the past decade.
However, before Newcastle starts envisioning their future glory, the present situation is in dire need of redirection. Currently sitting in the relegation zone of the Premier League, Newcastle is in 19th place with four points out of a possible twenty-seven. Across the board, Newcastle has to bolster their squad. Defensively allowing twenty goals is the second-highest in the league. Poor forward play and ball control in the opposition's half has the defense taking on a lot of pressure ranking, in the top five for tackles, blocks, and clearances. Handling the ball for only 2982 passes, the second-lowest among all teams, the defensive wall is bound to keep collapsing with consistent pressure. With problems rooting throughout the squad, Newcastle must pick up some key pieces to stay up this campaign.
Capital not being an issue for Newcastle and the winter transfer window fast approaching, time is the only issue. Not getting relegated is Newcastle's top priority. Therefore, these are four picks for potential players that Newcastle can poach in the upcoming transfer window.
First up, signing an attacking midfielder is a preference to getting the ball up the field successfully. Jesse Lingard is a substantial option for this position, given his capable abilities. In his loan season at West Ham United, he presented impressive stats with nine goals and five assists in just sixteen games in the Premier League. To put this perspective in the previous season at Manchester United, he netted only once in twenty-two games. With a well-fit squad in the form of West Ham, Lingard was able to slot in effortlessly. If Newcastle United played with a system of midfielders higher up, Lingard could transition in flawlessly as he managed with West Ham. While Lingard has two goals this season at Manchester United, a guaranteed starting position is next to impossible. If Newcastle were to sign him and put him in as an attacking midfielder, he would prove his ability to bring space, incorporate his strong passing abilities and his attacking prowess. At 28 years old and a reasonable market value, Newcastle has the potential to poach him early before his contract runs out the coming summer. If they allow Lingard the time and space, sparks could very well be flying as he did for West Ham just a season ago.
Another player they could snatch up this winter is Andreas Christensen. At only 25 years old, he has had close to 150 appearances for the Chelsea first team. With strong passing and ball interception, Christensen will surely be a force in Newcastle’s defense. A superb pass completion of roughly 93% per 90 minutes puts him in the 93rd percentile amongst all center backs. Christensen falls in the 91st percentile for the amount passes he attempts with 71.42 per 90. In terms of ball interceptions, Christensen is the 92nd percentile amongst all center backs. Tackles, blocks, and clearances are among his lesser-used tactics in defending. Christensen is a man-on-man player taking minimal risks in making few slide tackles or blocks to prevent off-footing and drawing a foul. Continuously fighting for the ball, Christensen always aims to stay on his player, giving away little chance for a blunder in the final third. Currently shining under Thomas Tuchel, Christensen & company have let only three goals past, outperforming every team in the Premier League and almost matching the goals allowed record for the first ten matches. Christensen is sure to be a vital link in a struggling Newcastle defense.
Looking into midfield, Marcelo Brozović is an excellent option to provide the chances that Newcastle so desperately needs. Reaching his prime at almost 29 years old, the Croatian still has plenty of gas left in the tank. While not having any Premier League experience, he has been a remarkable player for Inter Milan in the last half of a decade. Over a quarter of a thousand games for the Nerazzurri, primarily as defensive midfielder, Brozović has netted 25 goals and 34 assists. Amongst midfielders across Europe, Brozović has an impressive assist rating per 90 minutes in the 91st percentile. Highly rated this season, Newcastle has struggled heavily distributing the ball up to strikers and wingers, which Brozović has no issue doing. Brozović has emphatic ball control creating roughly 77 passes a game which is in the 94th percentile amongst midfielders. His per 90 minutes shot-creating actions and progressive carries at 3.05 and 6.62 each rank him above the 90th percentile. Although often to draw a foul and receive a card, Brozović is always there to duel for the ball. Simply put, he has the drive Newcastle lack today.
The last of my crucial picks is Paulo Dybala. Juventus could lose their star man in an exit this coming January transfer window as his contract expires at the end of June. On the rebound and at a low market value in his time at Juventus, Dybala is a very rational buy. Falling in the shadow of Ronaldo during his stay along with a list of injuries, Dybala has struggled these past few seasons. However, Ronaldo departing may have put some faith into Dybala as the re-appointment of coach Massimiliano Allegri handed him the vice-captain armband. Pressure is immense, nonetheless, as Juventus are currently midtable in a disastrous start in 9th place. Juventus has only been outside of the top four after the tenth matchday once in the last decade. Despite Juventus's sluggish start, Dybala is pulling with three goals and assists in his first eight Serie A games. Relatively struggling these past few campaigns, Dybala has still amassed an impressive 104 goals and 45 assists in 263 games in his time at Juventus. Being overshadowed by Ronaldo has put him under the radar more than a touch, as his skill ranking amongst forwards is still tremendous. Over the last year, Dybala ranks in the 95th percentile for assists and shots total per 90 minutes for all forwards. Moving down the flank, Dybala creates roughly 53 passes with 4.82 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, which ranks him insanely high in the 99th and 98th percentile, respectively. His ball possession, passing, through balls, and long shots are all formidable attributes his opponents face. Despite having poor finishing, Dybala brings the chance to create qualities that Newcastle is suffering in right now.
Will Newcastle implement any of these strategies? Who knows, but whoever they choose to sign in the next transfer window is crucial in keeping them floating out of the relegation zone, preventing the Magpies from becoming the highest financially backed Championship club.
References:
https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs
https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/amnesty-voices-human-rights-concerns-saudi-takeover-newcastle-looms-2021-10-07/
https://www.transfermarkt.us/
https://fbref.com/en/
https://www.whoscored.com/
https://tribuna.com/en/news/manutd-2021-04-10-analysed-why-jesse-lingard-performs-better-at-west-ham-than-man-united/
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10014255-newcastle-united-officially-sold-to-saudi-backed-ownership-group-in-415m-deal
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