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The National
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Newcastle United 2025-26 season preview: Isak issue casts shadow over Magpies' strike plans
Prospects It is safe to say that pre-season has not gone according to plan for Newcastle. After winning their first domestic trophy since 1955 and qualifying for the Uefa Champions League last season, hopes were high that the Magpies could kick-on with squad strengthening over the summer months. Instead, Newcastle have missed out on a number of top targets, including the likes of James Trafford, Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko. Star striker Alexander Isak has downed tools as he looks to push through a move to Liverpool, while pre-season has seen the team go winless – losing four and drawing two. But there remains a strong squad at St James' Park and a top-class coach in Eddie Howe. Keeping centre-back Sven Botman fit will be vital, they have a powerhouse midfield trio in Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, as well as pace galore from Anthony Gordon and new signing Anthony Elanga. Solving the Isak issue one way or the other and bringing in fresh talent up front will be vital before the transfer window closes. Last five finishes 2024/25: 5th 2023/24: 7th 2022/23: 4th 2021/22: 11th 2020/21: 12th First five fixtures August 16: Aston Villa (A) August 25: Liverpool (H) August 30: Leeds United (A) September 13: Wolves (H) September 20: Bournemouth (A) The manager Eddie Howe: After Champions League qualification was sealed in May, Howe admitted there was 'a big summer' ahead for the club that had not made any major moves in three transfer windows due to Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) constraints. What transpired has been big for all the wrong reasons, led by Isak's sudden itchy feet, as well as numerous swings and misses in the transfer market that have left Howe with a squad currently well short of numbers needed to cope with the rigours of Champions League football. The arrivals of winger Elanga, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and defender Malick Thiaw are a start but additions to the central-midfield and centre-forward departments will be crucial if Howe is to have any hope of adding to last season's silverware. Whatever the trials and tribulations of the summer, Howe's popularity with supporters remains undiminished even if the Isak saga is presenting the Englishman with the biggest test of squad solidarity since his arrival on Tyneside in 2021. Star signing Anthony Elanga: The fleet-footed €61.4m signing from Nottingham Forest has solved Newcastle's need for competition on the right flank and has the pace to give members of the Premier League's left-back union serious headaches. Former Manchester United winger Elanga was an ever-present in Forest's successful 2024-25 season, scoring six goals and providing 11 assists to help the club qualify for European football. The 23-year-old's performance in the final pre-season game against Atletico Madrid impressed manager Howe. 'I thought he was a real threat,' he said. 'I think we'll see a real player that can make a difference and frighten the opposition.' Key player Sandro Tonali: The Italian midfielder stepped up a level last season as he put the misery of his ban for breaching gambling rules firmly in the past, establishing himself as one of the jewels in Newcastle's crown. Deceptively quick and strong on and off the ball, Tonali was outstanding in the number six playmaker role he adopted in the second half of last season, thriving alongside Brazilian duo Guimaraes and Joelinton. Howe called the adjustment in Tonali's position his 'single most important decision' of the campaign 'that helped us find a better balance'. The 25-year-old former AC Milan star will be a vital cog in the Newcastle machine as they embark in only their second Champions League campaign since 2004. Hot prospect Seung-soo Park: The 18-year-old South Korean winger only arrived from Suwon Samsung Bluewings in July and made an instant impression during Newcastle's pre-season tour of Asia. The club's original plan was for Park's journey to involve the U-21s and then a potential loan move. But his performances have warranted a closer inspection with manager Howe saying he has been 'very impressed by his early contributions'. 'He has come into the group and he has really impressed in training as well as the games,' Howe said of last week's draw with Espanyol, which Park started and saw him given a standing ovation by the St James' Park crowd when taken off in the second half. 'He has done really well in his little cameos, he has taken on a lot of new information on. Credit to him he has done it all with a smile on his face. He has earned the right to stay with us … we will take it step by step.'
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Newcastle United make Malick Thiaw enquiry
Newcastle United have made an enquiry for AC Milan's Malick Thiaw, according to journalist Matteo Moretto. Thiaw has been on the Magpies' radar for the past two seasons and has emerged as a target once again this summer as Newcastle gear up for another campaign of European football. The 23-year-old was reportedly watched by Newcastle scouts during Milan's pre-season tour in Hong Kong, where he impressed in a 4-2 triumph over Premier League champions Liverpool. Newcastle have been targeting a new centre-back for the past two windows and were strongly linked with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi last summer, albeit all to no avail. They are still in the market for defensive reinforcement. Thiaw was wanted by Como earlier this summer, and despite Milan accepting an offer from Como for his services, the German opted against a move. This hesitation has opened the door for Newcastle to make a more attractive offer and potentially lure Thiaw to St James' Park. Thiaw would offer Newcastle versatility along with youth and experience. While he is primarily a centre-back, he can also fill in as a right-back or defensive midfielder. Thiaw's arrival would be majorly to partner Sven Botman and form a robust partnership capable of competing domestically and on the continental front. Meanwhile, Newcastle have other names on their defensive wishlist, with Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini and Roma's Eva Ndicka being mooted. Eddie Howe's side could also reignite their interest in Guehi as the Englishman enters the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park.
BBC News
29-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Howe on not underestimating opponents, Park and transfer hopes
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's pre-season friendly against Team K League at Suwon World Cup Stadium (kick-off 12:00 BST).Here are the key lines from his news conference:On the match against their South Korean opponents: "We're looking forward to the game. I just walked out of the hotel for the first time since arriving last night and I was hit by the heat again, which we're looking forward to. Playing in this heat is extreme but we're honoured to be asked to play here and it's a privilege to play in this game against such a strong team. We won't underestimate our opponents."Howe confirmed that Sven Botman, who picked up an injury against Arsenal, does not have a serious issue but will not be able to play in this Magpies boss said he will "do everything I can" to get new teenage signing Park Seung-soo on the pitch in front of his home country fans and added: "We've had only a very short term impression, one or two training sessions. It's been very positive so far. It's all new experiences for him but I sure he'll do very, very well. We're very keen to look at this as a future market for us."On the different tests they will face against Team K League and then Tottenham on Sunday: "We're going to look at it in terms of where our players are fitness-wise. I think we're going to balance our teams on players that are slightly fresher to possibly play the first game. Players that maybe need a little bit more recovery time after the Arsenal game will play the second."He added: "We're focusing on our first Premier League match against Aston Villa, making sure that we're getting ready for that. Pre-season plays a big part in getting the players ready to play but [also] making sure they don't pick up too many injuries, so that will certainly be considered."On the summer transfer window, Howe said Newcastle "have to bring in the right players at the right prices" and that they cannot "act out of character for how we've always tried to work in the windows".He added: "If the right player isn't out there for the right price, then we can't do the deals. Everything's got to fall in line. Obviously, we're looking to improve the squad, we're looking to try and add depth and quality to the areas that we've identified. Fingers crossed we can get some deals done."
Daily Mail
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Eddie Howe handed injury boost after Arsenal defeat as Newcastle boss continues to juggle absence of wantaway striker Alexander Isak
Eddie Howe has been handed a major injury boost having suffered a scare in Newcastle's pre-season friendly against Arsenal on Sunday. The Magpies were playing their third match of the summer in Singapore, with Howe using two different sides throughout the game to allow his players to get some more minutes into their legs. They lost for the second match in a row, however, going down 3-2 just a matter of days after their shock 4-0 thrashing by Celtic in less-than ideal preparations. In Newcastle's side, William Osula led the line from the start of the game, while 18-year-old Sean Neave came off the bench in the second half with Alexander Isak still absent. Howe has ruled out the possibility that the Swede could join up with Newcastle's travelling part y next week after Mail Sport exclusively revealed he is keen to explore options away from the club - but one star that was present raised injury concerns when he appeared to limp off the field. Defender Sven Botman has been back in action after long injury lay-off last season, but fans feared the worst when he seemed to have picked up an issue against Arsenal. Botman was seen speaking to Howe as he left the pitch, looking in discomfort as he made his way to the dressing room. After undergoing cruciate surgery in March 2024, he didn't play again until December last year but was soon back on the sidelines with a broken kneecap in February. After a month out, he missed another 48 days between early March and late April with another knee issue, meaning he has played just 25 Premier League games across the last two seasons. Howe, though, seemed to ease injury fears after the game against Arsenal, saying: 'He came off and said his groin was tight. Fingers crossed he's OK.' Mail Sport's Craig Hope, meanwhile, reported from Singapore that Botman was seen walking without any obvious limp, and Dan Burn said that he would probably have stayed on the field if the game was competitive. Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy were on the scoresheet for Newcastle, while Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard bagged for Arsenal, with Alex Murphy also scoring an own goal. Viktor Gyokeres was unveiled before kick off, with the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Bukayo Saka also starting for the Gunners.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
More squad depth needed at Newcastle
Despite the enormous resources of their Saudi owners, Newcastle's ambitions have been hamstrung by profit and sustainability regulations. Their only signing so far this summer has been 18-year-old winger Antonio Cordero, who has joined on a free after spending last season in the Spanish second tier with Malaga. Advertisement Qualification for the Champions League means there is a little more room in the Magpies finances, which is just as well since new blood is needed to cope with the increased workload. Last season, Newcastle used just 24 players in the Premier League, the joint second lowest total in the top flight. When they last competed in Europe in 2023-24, injuries and fatigue eventually caught up with them and a run of six defeats in seven league games over the winter torpedoed their season. [BBC] With Sven Botman only able to start 21 top-flight matches in the past two years, a new centre-back may be a priority. Last summer, Crystal Palace rebuffed a move move for Marc Guehi, but he is entering the final 12 months of his contract so could be available for a sensible price. Advertisement If they are beaten to the punch by Liverpool, Atalanta's 21-year-old Giorgio Scalvini has been mooted as an alternative. The 6ft 4in tall Italy international is highly rated but has barely played in the last year because of knee and shoulder injuries, so would represent a calculated gamble. Jacob Murphy enjoyed an outstanding campaign in 2024-25, with his tally of 12 Premier League assists bettered only by Mohamed Salah, but an additional option is required on the right wing.
