Finding Sven Botman’s long-term partner – Five realistic options Newcastle could target

With Fabian Schär turning 32 later this year and Newcastle United seemingly in the market for a right-sided CB, I decided to crunch some numbers to see which players across Europe would be a suitable option.

I’ll preface this by saying that Schär has been brilliant over the last year and he’s not a player we urgently have to replace. However, with his age and some his minor weaknesses, we’ll likely be in the market for a more long-term option this summer.

What exactly are we looking for in this player?

• Right-sided (i.e. right-footed)
• Comfortable in a back four
• Suitable age profile (U27)
• Progressive but secure in possession, both in passing and carrying
• Most importantly; “front-footed”

By “front-footed” (also sometimes referred to as a “dog”), I mean a defender who is proactive at stepping out of the back four to meet the ball, more aggressive in their tackling/intercepting and more intense and disruptive in their defending.

On the other hand, “back-footed” CBs (or – you guessed it – “cats”) exist too. These players use their athleticism, positioning and ability to read the game to cover behind the defensive line and sweep up rather than flying out too often.

In the majority teams, the most balanced centre-back pairing is formed by combining one front-footed CB with one back-footed CB. Our current pairing of Schär and Botman embodies that perfectly, as well as loads of other successful CB partnerships over the years.

So, using data, I’ve tried my best to identify these front-footed CBs, as well as highlight the ones who have other desirable traits. Thus, I was able to give each player a loose score for their ‘defensive’ work and ‘in possession’ work and then give them an overall rating.

This is our final Top 20, which I’ll narrow down into a Top 5:

5. Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen)

Tapsoba has developed into a very dependable and composed front-footed CB. He’s suited to a high-pressing, high-possession side, which is aided by his recovery speed and technical quality. Would be expensive, but there’s serious potential there.

4. Axel Disasi (Monaco)

Having formed a formidable partnership alongside Badiashile, Disasi’s stock has risen sharply over the last year. A natural leader, dominant in duels and willing to initiate attacks from deep, Disasi would slot nicely into our back four.

3. Roger Ibañez (Roma)

A very aggressive and proactive CB – Ibañez has excelled in both a back three, a back four and on either side. Much like Schär, he’s decisive in his actions and has the ability to stride out of defence with the ball, but also has exceptional recovery speed.

2. Maxence Lacroix (Wolfsburg)

A natural athlete and imposing physical presence, Lacroix has been a steady presence in a turbulent couple of years for Wolfsburg. He anticipates danger well and intervenes quickly, while also being an ambitious and progressive passer.

1. Jean-Clair Todibo (OGC Nice)

An archetype front-footed CB with boundless potential. Having settled down at OGC Nice, the ex-Barca CB would fit us stylistically and come at a reasonable price. Athletic, aggressive and can progress the ball effectively through passing and carrying.

I’ve previously mentioned Todibo, Lacroix and Disasi as options I’d like us to go for purely on an eye-test basis, so it was very satisfying to see them rank well here. It’s nice to know that what I’m watching is agreeing with what the numbers are saying!

This list is by no means objective – but with a mix of metrics, an estimate of the profile we’d be after, and some of my own judgement, these are the five players who I’d be most keen for us to sign as a long-term partner for Sven Botman.