The transfer window is vital for clubs like Newcastle United, as it ensures that they are able to build on the successes that they achieved in the previous season. Steve Bruce did an excellent job of adding to the squad in areas that needed strengthening over the summer months, with the additions of Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jeff Hendrick certainly adding more quality to the squad.
However, one of the most important factors for teams in the bottom half of the Premier League that are aiming to challenge for a place in the European positions is keeping hold of their star players, and that is something that Newcastle must do over the next 18 months. These are some of the players that the Toon can’t afford to lose.
Allan Saint-Maximin
There haven’t been many players in the modern era that have been able to excite Newcastle fans as much as Allan Saint-Maximin, and he has thrived since becoming a fan favourite. There is no doubting that his dribbling gets all the attention, but his ability to be fouled in the attacking third also ensures Newcastle get a huge number of chances from free-kicks in the final third.
Saint-Maximin has averaged 3.1 dribbles per game in the Premier League so far this season and is fouled an average of 3.1 times per game. There is a lot more to come from the Frenchman, as he is aged just 23, and the Toon must ensure that the team is built around the creative dynamo.
Miguel Almiron
It may have taken longer than many Newcastle fans would have been hoping for, but Miguel Almiron is now showing exactly why the club were willing to part with £21 million to sign the Paraguayan. Almiron is an essential part of Newcastle’s attacking gameplan and has been excellent in the four games that he has started for the club so far this season.
There is still so much more to come from the 26-year-old, who has already registered one assist so far this season. His energy in the final third has made him a favourite at St James’ Park and the club must not cash-in on him at the first opportunity.
Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis was one of the biggest signings of the summer for Newcastle, as it was a clear indicator that the club are already looking towards the future. It can’t be downplayed how big the signing was, as Lewis was initially rumoured to be signing for Liverpool earlier in the window.
Full-backs have become an essential part of the modern game, and in Lewis, the Magpies have a player that could potentially go on to be one of the very best in the Premier League. Lewis has started eight games so far this season, and there have already been rumblings that some of the bigger clubs in the league may already be thinking about making a move for the 22-year-old.
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