Former Newcastle Players That Would Transform the Current Team

Newcastle has had a bit of a tumultuous season in the Premier League. The Magpies finished last season in poor form but still finished well above the relegation zone in 13th. 

They were hoping that the £40 million signing of Joelinton would be the star forward that Tyneside has been craving for the last few seasons. The goals never came for the Brazilian, and Callum Wilson was brought in from Bournemouth and hit the ground running. 

Unfortunately, injury has halted his season, and they sit just above the relegation zone. With their recent form and two massive wins, they look safe, but what if Newcastle could sign players from their past to transform their squad?

Alan Shearer 

If you asked every single Newcastle fan this question, they’d likely pick Alan Shearar. The Geordie banged in 206 goals for the Magpies and 260 goals in the Premier League overall to be its all-time top scorer. 

Newcastle hasn’t scored the least goals this season, but they are still in the lower half of the league. The recent goal-scoring form of their forwards has saved their season. Newcastle would have been tipped for the drop, but their odds have risen after winning the last two games. The team now sit at 14/1 to be relegated, so, if you’re betting on football, Burnley at 7/1 might be a better shot to go down. 

If you added a 20-goal a season scorer to this squad, Newcastle would be in the top five for goals scored. The team would have better odds to finish in the top-6 than go to the EFL Championship. A Newcastle player hadn’t scored 20-goals in a Premier League season since (you guessed it) Alan Shearar back in 2004. Goals win games, and this man brought more than anyone else.

Fabricio Coloccini

The Magpies aren’t just having issues scoring; they’re having trouble keeping out the goals too. Newcastle is 4th for goals conceded, having one of the most unstable back lines. Even playing with a back five, the team doesn’t have a commanding figure to tie the defence together.

Step in beloved figure Fabricio Coloccini. Despite ending on rocky terms, due to the defender wanting to return to Argentina for personal reasons, Coloccini still spent eight quality years at the club. His no-nonsense physical style would command this backline and hopefully propel the team to the same heights as in 2012 when they finished 5th. 

Paul Gascoigne

The true Geordie himself couldn’t be left off this list. After coming up through the youth ranks, Gazza spent his first three years as a professional at Tyneside. Gazza was a mercurial talent but unplayable on his day. In 92 games for Newcastle, he scored 21 goals for the club.

In his final year, he was named PFA Young Player of the Year and in the PFA Team of the Year. Many wonder what could have been if Newcastle could have kept such a talent. He would easily make and escalate this current squad, possibly to a top-4 finish.

The Magpies will be in the Premier League next season, which is paramount to the club’s success. However, if the team are to make the top half of the table, they need to be smarter with squad investments. If only Newcastle could invest in a time machine to bring in these legends.