Three NUFC players who could surprise a few in the Premier League this season

With Newcastle set to make their eagerly anticipated Premier League return against Spurs at St. James’ Park next month, here’s three players we believe could surprise a few next season:

Florian Lejeune

He may not have been the Premier League proven centre half we were anticipating but Lejeune comes with a growing reputation in Spain. A late developer at 26, he arrives off the back of an impressive season with Eibar as they performed above expectations to secure a 10th place finish.

Trying to avoid the Dennis Wise style YouTube scouting, it has become clear that many La Liga experts feel he is a perfect fit for English football. Tall, athletic and with a decent turn of pace, he could prove to a shrewd addition at £8.7m, which is looking more and more like peanuts in the modern market.

He also has a point to prove after signing for Manchester City a few years back and never making an appearance for them. He has thrived at smaller clubs and now has the opportunity to deliver on the big stage and under a world class manager. With Newcastle already having Clark, Mbemba and Lascelles on the books, Rafa clearly feels Lejeune is a quality option to decide to bring him in. One to watch with interest next season.

 

DeAndre Yedlin

Yedlin has of course played in the Premier League before with both Tottenham and Sunderland. His electric pace and athleticism is there for all to see but he was often criticised for not having the positional sense or defending prowess to become a top Premier League full back.

His last loan spell at Sunderland seemed like a real improvement though and with the help of Big Sam, became far more solid defensively. As Newcastle fans know, Big Sam brings boring football but good organisation.

Yedlin continued to improve under Rafa last year and after a long tussle with Anita for the RB slot, made it his own by the end of the season. With Anita released, Rafa clearly sees Yedlin as mainstay of his squad next year. Like some others in the squad, not making the grade at other clubs and loan spells here and there will hopefully motivate Yedlin to push on next year.

 

Jonjo Shelvey

Shelvey is a player with plenty of top flight pedigree from spells with Swansea and Liverpool and even has been capped by England. He has however somewhat flattered to deceive; brilliant some weeks and invisible the next. Newcastle fans certainly witnessed his clear talent in the Championship last year, along with disciplinary issues.

He certainly won’t be given the same time on the ball to dictate games as he did last year, as we come up against far stronger opposition.  He is coming up to his prime physically and can hopefully use his talent to put in some consistent performances next year. He returned to pre-season weeks earlier than needed to shed weight and be ready for the new year; so he clearly has a point to prove and is eager to surprise a few come August.

Newcastle clearly need more signings but Rafa will also be hoping the likes of Lejeune, Yedlin and Shelvey can step up next year. We do have a squad that will have a point to prove next year: Clark will want to prove his ability at the top level after an awful relegation with Villa, Perez needs to finally realise his potential and Dwight Gayle will be determined to finally become a Premier League regular. Here’s hoping our squad comes together ready for Tottenham come the 13th of August.

Let us know who you feel could be next seasons surprise package or shining light for NUFC?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Simon Riddlesden

Lifelong Newcastle United fan and East Stand season ticket holder. Observations from a supporter who has followed NUFC during Champions League participation and through relegation, taking me from Milan to Scunthorpe.

338 thoughts on “Three NUFC players who could surprise a few in the Premier League this season

  1. What about Giroud? He’s suppose to be available. Could be costly but he’s a goal scorer.

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  2. Stuart79:
    What about Giroud? He’s suppose to be available. Could be costly but he’s a goal scorer.

    Would take him over everybody linked so far.

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  3. Big no from me on Rolan. Interesting that Rafa keeps referring to squad players when talking about signings. Methinks the budget is a lot smaller than we thought.

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  4. I see the BBC have released the salaries of all their presenters earning over £150k. Firstly who gives a **** but secondly, some of these presenters like Gary Lineker get on their moral high ground telling everyone we should be doing more to help refugees and the like when he is earning more than £1.5m a year. Surely he should follow his own advice…

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  5. Stu – I’d take Giroud in a heartbeat mate, was just going with the forwards we’d been linked with so far – not sure he’d step down to us though unfortunately.

    Papertalk is that Gunners may sell some more fringe players to finance the Lemar deal – Giroud and Walcott could be classed as fringe players like – I’d even go for Lucas Perez as well, think he’s decent too and may be more achievable than the other 2.

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  6. georgio:
    Big no from me on Rolan. Interesting that Rafa keeps referring to squad players when talking about signings. Methinks the budget is a lot smaller than we thought.

    I think he is building a team that grafts and is adaptable – like Leicester and Bournemouth. I dont think he wants any sort of ‘Billy Big Bollox’ types. A squad with lots of competition so that those that want it moat make the team and if somebody gets injured, their loss is not significant because a player of similar ability and desire will slot straight in.

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  7. I see Spurs will have to “pay” Siko to leave the club,what a bloody joke he is,real pleased we got shot of the big headed doe-heed,you did a great job there Rafa shipping him out at a great price

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  8. Ice – I think we could have told Spurs what they were getting. He’s not as good as he thinks he is and will end up a has been playing for a WBA type team imo

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  9. georgio:
    Big no from me on Rolan. Interesting that Rafa keeps referring to squad players when talking about signings. Methinks the budget is a lot smaller than we thought.

    I will put on a sportsman’s bet with you that we spend about 80 million this window and that we break our transfer record at least once and probably twice.

    We have changed our approach to allowing signings on installments. This means if the headline transfer fees total 80 million we will only have to put up about 20 million up front.

    We already have quite bit due in installments for players sold last year – Sissoko 6 mil, Gini 5 mil, Andros 3 mil and Thavin 2 mil so we are close to self financing that 80 mil. These fees will come in over the next few years as well so it really is self financing.

    We don’t have to shell out anything for past players because Ashley’s previous policy was to pay in cash hoping for bargains. Rafa is starting with a blank slate. Of course, we also have a few players to sell as well.

    Rafa just has to find the right players that’s all and I am not sure he is willing to shell out the excessive fees being asked just yet. That might change as we get close to the end of the window,

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  10. BTW: I know we have changed our policy to allow for payments in installments because that was what was holding up the Lejeune deal, that we did not want to pay all the fee immediately.

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  11. Kimtoon: I read comments on a Guardian article about Hart saying everybody loved West Ham. One said, seriously, that West Ham were doing the council/Government a favour by playing in the London Stadium because otherwise they would be stuck with a white elephant. And they call us delusional.

    If I was Spurs it would boil my **** every time I see West Ham spend big, knowing that the new Spurs stadium is costing 800 million and WH got their 700 million ground for virtually nowt.

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  12. So Murphy signs. Didn’t know his mam is from Birtley and his dad is from Ashington. Good ho!

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  13. Eric Sykes:
    Kimtoon: I read comments on a Guardian article about Hart saying everybody loved West Ham. One said, seriously, that West Ham were doing the council/Government a favour by playing in the London Stadium because otherwise they would be stuck with a white elephant. And they call us delusional.

    If I was Spurs it would boil my **** every time I see West Ham spend big, knowing that the new Spurs stadium is costing 800 million and WH got their 700 million ground for virtually nowt.

    I know mate, it’s infuriating, they pleaded poverty yet every window splash the cash.

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  14. Stuart79:
    Ice – I think we could have told Spurs what they were getting. He’s not as good as he thinks he is and will end up a has been playing for a WBA type team imo

    Stuart79:
    Ice – I think we could have told Spurs what they were getting. He’s not as good as he thinks he is and will end up a has been playing for a WBA type team imo

    Stuart79:
    Ice – I think we could have told Spurs what they were getting. He’s not as good as he thinks he is and will end up a has been playing for a WBA type team imo

    Aye I think your right,and lucky at that too

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  15. Well pleased with the Murphy signing & the kid seems well up for it …. Andros who?! …..

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  16. Yeah nice to see a lad come in that genuinely loves the club and is you know will bleed black and white from Day 1.

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  17. Icedog: At the same time I think he’s cheap,how much would / did cost at 17 for Rooney or M.Owen and few others,but if he wanted to go what can we do?

    Ice – those 2 were/are elite players (to risk an Eric rant) but the likes of Rooney & Owen were in the first team squads and proving themselves in the first teams. Young Gibson isn’t close to the first team and lifting £6m. To compare, Gibbs is going for about £10m – a first teamer & England international

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  18. SHARPY Gibbs is coming to the end age wise but will go on a while yet,Gibson has 15/16 yrs in front of him,but I take your point ( a little) there’s fors and against in this case

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  19. I know he’s highly rated but how many Adam Campbells, Michael Chopras and so on have been highly rated at that age? £6m could buy us a first team squad player. To be honest I was only expecting compensation given his age and if Everton have got money to speculate with like that then it’s getting insane. Wasn’t Remi Streete supposed to be the next big thing a few years ago? Never hear about him these days.
    Although we obviously need more, I do quite like our business so far. It’s been low risk and players with their best years hopefully ahead of them. Especially if we get Manquillo, I think we are pretty much sorted in defence and have four good options in the wide areas. I would like to see a quality CM to replace Colback and at least one PL quality striker. I say one because I just don’t think we could afford more than that. The likes of Ritchie and Murphy will need to chip in with goals as Gayle won’t get enough on his own.

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  20. Looks like Daryl Murphy will be on his way to Forest. Shame in a way. I liked him and he had a good attitude. Would’ve been good to see how he did in the prem …

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  21. Dubai Toon:
    Looks like Daryl Murphy will be on his way to Forest. Shame in a way. I liked him and he had a good attitude. Would’ve been good to see how he did in the prem …

    Dubai – I’d be wanting more than £2m knowing they have just got £14m for the forward they sold to Boro. Alternatively I would be involving Ben Osborne in the deal

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  22. DJG: there have been so many next big things either coming through or bought as teenagers. The only ones to come through in years have been Krul, Dummett and Forster.

    Supposedly the nearest now are Toney and Armstrong, but we are looking to loan other teams’ youngsters like Abrahams and Ojo ahead of them.

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  23. Sharpy17: Ice – those 2 were/are elite players (to risk an Eric rant) but the likes of Rooney & Owen were in the first team squads and proving themselves in the first teams.Young Gibson isn’t close to the first team and lifting £6m.To compare, Gibbs is going for about £10m – a first teamer & England international

    Sharpy: I rated Rooney until he was about 26. But lately he has been **** and had too much influence on the England setup. Even Fat Sam said, and I quote “Wayne plays where he wants”.

    I have moved on though and now question the merits of another Everton “next big thing”. I just do not see what teams like Spurs see in him at the age of almost 24 when he should be the finished article. Another Sissoko like mistake?

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  24. Eric Sykes: Sharpy: I rated Rooney until he was about 26. But lately he has been **** and had too much influence on the England setup. Even Fat Sam said, and I quote “Wayne plays where he wants”.

    I have moved on though and now question the merits of another Everton “next big thing”. I just do not see what teams like Spurs see in him at the age of almost 24 when he should be the finished article. Another Sissoko like mistake?

    Eric – I’m only pulling your leg mate. But to be fair, he only have the say with England that he was give.
    He didn’t have a hold over Fat Sam or Woy, they have a man crush on him ‘yes Wayne, anything you want Wayne, it’s fine by us Wayne’.

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  25. https://youtu.be/ZPuL8LDUs9A

    I don’t usually YouTube scout but as he’s our player now it’s technically not scouting ?.
    This kid is strong, quick and so composed in his finishing – I think we could have got a real gem here for £10-12m ????

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  26. Sharpy17:
    https://youtu.be/ZPuL8LDUs9A

    I don’t usually YouTube scout but as he’s our player now it’s technically not scouting .
    This kid is strong, quick and so composed in his finishing – I think we could have got a real gem here for £10-12m

    Just watched that and another. The thing that struck me was that he is predominately right footed but is not afraid to shoot or cross with his left.

    Never trusted youtube compilations either, ever since people were raving about Albert Luque clips. How many years must that have been?

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  27. Eric Sykes: Just watched that and another. The thing that struck me was that he is predominately right footed but is not afraid to shoot or cross with his left.

    Never trusted youtube compilations either, ever since people were raving about Albert Luque clips. How many years must that have been?

    Eric – nah, I know these clips have been well edited to show the best moments of a lot of football and for every pass or goal shown, there will be 20 horrible ones not shown. But I was just impressed by his composure in the goals scored in that clip.

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  28. Norwich fans think his brothers the better player, maybe go in for him next window if Jacob does well. 😉

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