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.
Florian Lejeune – 16/17 pic.twitter.com/U1C6Eqxi8K
— John (@jbxnufc) June 21, 2017
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?
Fingers crossed Ice. A great thing to do. You must be very proud of your lad.
shamrock(Quote)
Ice – if he has a just give page get it up on here mate, I’m sure some would be happy to help.
I pay into a charity that gets disabled kids mobile – specialist wheelchairs and walking aides for example. They are so expensive for families and because they are specialised ones the NHS don’t help.
Sounds like a good egg young boy mate ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I am proud of him mate,he’s a bit of a hard case he boxes for Malta but when it comes to old people and disabled kids his heart melts
Icedog(Quote)
He’s a funny sod mate,he’s trying to do it on the sly type thing he does not want people to give him any type of praise for doing what he’s doing,I’ll properly get wrong for saying owt on here,he fighting with the bank as they want to name the park after them,he’s not having it said they are not using disabled kids for their advertising,he’s great hearted lad but a strange egg at times,but he has got a local MP to put some work into it,or coarse he wants to take all the praise for it,but pup doesn’t mind as long as it gets done
Icedog(Quote)
SHARPY your doing great work there mate well done,proud to know you,if only there was more like you out there
Icedog(Quote)
Nolito to Sevilla for 8 mil. I would have preferred him to Murphy, regardless of age. This year is about consolidating in the PL.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Ice – thanks mate, but nah, it’s a small contribution to a very good cause. I have a good life mate, I’m lucky – not rich but very lucky & it’s a good feeling helping others.
Sharpy17(Quote)
And Hart to West Ham. Good.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have never ever rated him very highly plenty out there a lot better
Icedog(Quote)
Ice: he has become a bit mistake prone and his distribution is ****. We have already got the Dutch version of him, so why even bother?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That’s great to hear mate,I have loved my life and still do,used to have a few quid but just about getting along now,traveled to a lot of country’s in the world,packed in work in my Fortys spent a lot of cash holiday/a bit of coaching in Aussie for over two years,then five months in boat around the barrier reef ect ,don’t want to bore you but wouldn’t change a thing
Icedog(Quote)
And… we have the Belgian version of Hart – Sels.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Hope Penfold hasn’t blown this Murphy deal wanting to pay in instalments,talk we are looking at Liverpools winger Ojo again for a deal
Icedog(Quote)
That’s what I don’t understand about Rafa wanting a keeper,he dropped a right clanger signing Sels imo surely he could see he was not up to PL standard at the time 5mil was a lot for a keeper,he will drop another if he signs W/H keeper
Icedog(Quote)
I waver on Krul because he made a few mistakes before he got injured and his distribution was **** but he was a decent ‘keeper for a while. There must be more to the story. We loaned him to help him recover from injury and give Sels a chance. Could it really be his hoofing tendency that is putting Rafa off. There must be more to it?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And wonder of wonders I read something in the Chronic that meant that one of their reporters had actually done some research or talked to someone knowledgeable at SJP. Mark Douglas said that one of the reasons the Abrahams loan didn’t go through was that Chelsea wanted to put in financial penalties if we didn’t play him. He said the package could amount to 8 figures. For those not financially literate that is at least 10 million quid if the penalties were triggered.
I think that is madness and if they are doing it for one player they are probably doing it with others such as Loftus Cheek.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I wouldn’t put it past Jabba to gamble on us styaing up with this squad so he doesn’t have to spend too much money this season and he hopes we stay up and have substantial cash next season. After all, this is a guy who allowed us to go 18 months without making one permanent signing!
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice, that’s a brilliant thing Pups trying to do there mate, well done him. 😎
kimtoon(Quote)
Sharpy, is that charity you give to Action for kids ? If so I do stuff for them too. Also do what I can for Unique, which is all about research and helping people with chromosome disorders all over the world . Lewis has a rare chromosome disorder so it’s a cause close to the heart. There is no where near enough done for disabled people and thankfully kind hearted souls like pup and yourself are badly needed.
kimtoon(Quote)
Worded that kinda wrong, the thankfully shouldn’t be there 🙄
kimtoon(Quote)
looks like that Murphy deal is dead,Rafa talking to liverpool manager to try and get Ojo,he must be really fed up with this lack of effort from jabba and company,i would not blame him one bit if he walks
icedog(Quote)
Thing is Ice, it’s a sellers market and everybody knows it apart from NUFC. The prices are so high now that why should any selling club reduce their price? We are still shopping in 2012
Stuart79(Quote)
kimtoon(Quote)
thing is mate they should know the market,look what they got for siko 30mil also 28 mil for the lad to Liverpool,so i dont buy they dont know the market,they only like to buy cheap to sell on for vast profit,its just the way jabba works and imo will not change
icedog(Quote)
Could be the OJo bid is just to get Norwich concerned. After all nobody else is in for Murphy. Come to think of it, are we even in for Murphy or is it just another Chronicle flyer?
georgio(Quote)
To prove I know nothing I was convinced Rafa would sign Lucas and Reina . . .
georgio(Quote)
If we are having these many issues over Murphy and given how long it took to get Lejeune in, then the 6 or so we all thought were required will likely not arrive. This regime will never change it’s approach unless our PL status is at risk ( see next January) heaven help Rafa, it’s looking a thankless task.
Kimtoon(Quote)
No flak from me if he walks, why should he risk his reputation for a **** like Ashley.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Keep the faith Kim. Still plenty of time left for signings. Sometimes I feel like that myself but then reassure myself that surely things can’t be this bad with a budget looking like £20m.
Personally I don’t blame Ashley for what’s currently happening.
georgio(Quote)
I’m liking the Ojo talk. At least he is tested in the top flight. 3 assists in equilavent of 4 full games and world cup winner.
shamrock(Quote)
Sham, pretty sure Pool would rather he went to Boro from what I have read.
Kimtoon(Quote)
I do sympathise with club over daft prices mate but at the same time, he will lose a lot more if we drop again.
Kimtoon(Quote)
We were quick enough to take £30m and £25m for Sissy and Gini , so the club cannot cry foul over prices really.
Kimtoon(Quote)
I agree with you 100% mate but it’s a joke Rafa has to phone Liverpool manager to try and do a deal,what the hell are paying Penfold for??
Icedog(Quote)
WBA are signing Kieran Gibbs for £12m.
Stuart79(Quote)
Rafa has given interview from training camp on transfers,he said there is money to spend after a meeting with Ashley it just takes time,now the best bit,he hopes Mike keeps his word,some hope there Rafa ime afraid
Icedog(Quote)
Says everything that mate, he shouldn’t be needing to say that about Ashley unless somethings no right.
We should be all over that too.
We can’t compete with anyone it seems 😳
Kimtoon(Quote)
jesus this site is doing my nut in, slow to load and keeps not responding
Kimtoon(Quote)
It’s fine for me Kim. Is your router OK? Old?
Hopefully Mike keeps his word. I think he will as he knows Rafa will be off. But what the hell have we been doing all summer? It is possible the budget is much smaller than we’d assumed. We seem to be haggling over very small amounts like how much of Armas £15k a week will Bolton pay.
georgio(Quote)
Alright chasing these wingers but we need a good m/f player and striker before any more wingers imo
Icedog(Quote)
ANDY anyway you can help KIM she has very little hair left she most of it out and temper is rising 😆
Icedog(Quote)
Icedog I expect Rafa to resign mate. I got no faith in Mike Ashley. What’s happening now isn’t much different to when Chris Hughton’s summer. Pardew is waiting in the wings and will be back by Xmas
Stem(Quote)
Some agree with you mate,he gave big Al promises (all lies) he gave KK promises all lies,proved in court,so cannot see him keeping his promises to Rafa
Icedog(Quote)
http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/newcastle-united/10951821/hope-ashley-keeps-promises
Rafa press interview
Icedog(Quote)
Middlesbrough have agreed to pay £15m for Assombalonga from Burnley!
Compete or die…
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart79 there a championship team that spend more money that us. I starting to believe the January transfer window will be a busy time for the club.
Stem(Quote)
If we are safe in January then the window wont be busy
Stem(Quote)
Icedog there was no reason to sack Chris Hughton imo. He got a away win at Chelsea in the league cup. We hadn’t beat Chelsea at the ground since 1986. We also beat Arsenal 1-0 away from home not achieved since Sir Bobby’s 3-1 win. He didn’t deserve to get sacked mate.
Stem(Quote)
hoots is well out of it
Kimtoon(Quote)
God bless him!
funrafa(Quote)
Stu, I think you over-estimate your club’s owner. It is not he does not have the money. It is he has no ambition. He only wants to survive in PL. As long as the team survives, he won’t sped a penny more. It does not matter it is this season or next season. You know him longer than me you shouldn’t have this illusion on him, or you will be awfully disappointed.
funrafa(Quote)
We’ve agreed a deal to sign Murphy
Stuart79(Quote)
Murphy fee agreed.
shamrock(Quote)
Stem, with current squad, we will have to be very, very, very lucky in order to be safe in January.
funrafa(Quote)
Sky sports confirmed it, oh yeah!
I was angry the whole morning and now the good news? Can’t believe it!
funrafa(Quote)
Murphy signed wow never expected that
Stem(Quote)
Funrafa i mean safe enough by January not actually safe
Stem(Quote)
about time
Kimtoon(Quote)
yeah I know what you mean. But I still think it is gonna be very hard. Hopefully with Murphy’s deal closed, we will have more coming in. 😀
funrafa(Quote)
Bas Dost next
Stem(Quote)
Funrafa all I want now is Bas Dost and a left back, thats it mate.
Stem(Quote)
Stem, also a DM. It’s a key for Rafa’s 4231.
Bas Dost, oh man I like him but I really think the price is beyond us …
funrafa(Quote)
Funrafa how silly of me mate. I forgot about how terrible Colback is 😆 I don’t rate Colback at all but his that bad no offers will come in.
Stem(Quote)
Funrafa Its nice to dream mate. Really surprised the top sides haven’t gone in for Bas Dost.
Stem(Quote)
I don’t blame you mate. So many positions in this squad need to be reinforced, it is easy to miss one. 🙂
funrafa(Quote)
definitely mate, dream/hope is a very good thing. I have to admit I kind of lost it already. Every signing injects it back to me a little bit though.
funrafa(Quote)
Pleased we got a deal done,my mate called it right fo me he said it was done
Icedog(Quote)
Pitch folks can be put away now then ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
Kim – yeah that’s the name of the charity I pay into, amongst others (mainly cancer ones coz both my parents have survived their battles)
And whilst I’m polishing my halo, the reason I’m late replying to you is coz I’ve been out giving blood ??
Sharpy17(Quote)
well done you sharpy
Kimtoon(Quote)
Two attempts to post last post, got diverted to a security page asking me to confirm I’m not a robot before I could access the site !!
I give up
Kimtoon(Quote)
Is Murphy any good. We didn’t get the Norwich games so I haven’t seen him. I suppose being in the Championship allowed Rafa and staff to scout him closely.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Everton want 50 million for Barkley. What has he ever done? He is incredibly inconsistent. I am not even sure he is in the England squad anymore and is certainly not one of the first names on the teamsheet. He is 24 in December, when do they stop talking about his potential, we should know what he is by now.
It is not like he was some waif like Ozil. He broke into the Everton squad a fully formed man, a bit like Rooney, and really hasn’t pushed on as expected. But he had a reputation as the next big thing and they are pricing him that way, but he should have “arrived” by now.
Just pointing this out as it is yet one more reason why this transfer window is so difficult.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – he’s decent mate, and I’m sure he will make the switch to the PL. I guess the closest similarity I could draw would be Nathan Redmond. Murphy is more physical I think but I think he could have the same impact for us.
As for Barkley. His most likely destination is Spurs – if those nuggets shell out £30m for Sissoko, then I’d want £50m for Barkley too.
I don’t think he’s worth close to that, but who really is?!.
He’s been left behind from there tour so something must be happening with him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Don’t know about Murphy. He didn’t stand out when we played them if he played but Rafa must see something in him and in today’s market I suppose it’s worth a punt. Is he going to be a starter?
Stuart79(Quote)