The Premier League is done and dusted for six weeks as we kick off preparations for the FIFA 2022 World Cup.
It’s absolutely devastating to be facing such a long mid-season period without the mags when we’re playing the best football we’ve seen in years and winning for fun. But there are definitely some NUFC-related positives in it.
Firstly, we get some time to bring Isak back from injury since his Sweden side didn’t qualify, as well as working on the fitness of other non-internationals including Maxi.
Secondly, it’s really exciting to see three Newcastle players in the England World Cup squad – something we haven’t been able to say for quite some time. Although, if I’m being completely honest, I won’t be fully comfortable unless they’re each wrapped in bubble wrap on the pitch. But I’ll probably get emotional seeing them play.
Thirdly, we have players linking up with their international teammates on a massive high.
Bruno will be absolutely bouncing in the Brazil camp. Not only is he living the dream at NUFC – crazily, his words, not ours – but he’s celebrating the birth of his Geordie bairn, Matteo. You can tell from the way he plays that he’s enjoying his football and that spring in his step will be evident at the World Cup. You just know he’ll be telling them all what a brilliant place St James’ Park is to play football!
Even our England contingent can be in the ear of target James Maddison – and even though Leicester are starting to pull some results out of the bag, it’ll surely be hard to resist the pull of being here right now. I rate Maddison very highly, but for me, I wonder where he fits into this team when everyone in the starting midfield is sensational right now – but that’s a hurdle our England stars can surely overcome.
I bet Michael Owen wouldn’t have had the same mentality when talking about Newcastle United in the England camp at the 2006 World Cup – nor Andros Townsend in 2016, who’d seen much worse in his brief time here.
Surely players will be looking for an inside scoop on what it’s really like at Newcastle United right now. We’re seeing glimmers of it through the club and players’ social media accounts (Grant Pringle is my personal hero), but there’s no comparison to hearing about it right from the horses’ mouths.
Newcastle United is the place to be right now. Results are insane, the manager will improve you, spirits are higher than I’ve ever seen them, the atmosphere is electric every week and we’re currently on course for Champions League football.
All these things are subject to change, and the World Cup could be the thing that brings our momentum to a screeching halt, but right now, things are good.
We’re once again a club players will be excited to come to. Not a stepping stone.
Who knows – maybe we’ll see some of Bruno’s or Trippier’s international teammates make the leap in coming transfer windows…
