For all of our inconsistencies and struggles defensively, Newcastle’s goalscoring this season has been so impressive.
We’ve already comfortably outscored last season’s tally, we’ve bagged 22 more than Man Utd, scored three or more on 15 occasions in all competitions and are the second-highest-scoring home team in Europe’s top leagues, with only Bayern Munich (51) bettering our 48 goals at St James’ Park so far.
Our attacking play has improved under Eddie Howe, yet our right-hand side will almost certainly look considerably stronger next season.
For all of their efforts and value as squad players, Sean Longstaff, Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron have their limitations and have played the vast majority of our games down the right. You can rarely question their commitment to the cause, but their output is limited.
Longstaff hasn’t missed a minute of Premier League football since the turn of the year and takes up a position Sandro Tonali will almost certainly adopt when fit and available next season. The Italian was our big-money signing last summer and can add that sprinkle of quality, pace (he is deceptively quick) and ingenuity to that side of our midfield three, with Joelinton, Elliot Anderson and Joe Willock likely to compete for the left-sided slot.
Then to the right wing, I am convince this is the summer we invest in a much-needed upgrade. Down our left, we have two superb options in Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes. They have been involved in 26 league goals between them this term, while Almiron and Murphy have just 10 goal involvements between them.
Who we sign is anyone’s guess. Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo could be a superb addition, while Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise and Wolves’ Pedro Neto are impressing at mid-table sides and ready to take the next step in their careers. Exciting overseas options like PSV’s Johan Bakayoko and Bilbao’s Nico Williams have also been watched.
Almiron has interest from Saudi Arabia and turned 30 this year. It feels like the right time to move him on while we can command a decent fee. As for Murphy, it’s come to the point where he should be squad player (at best) if we have top four aspirations. There’s also an argument to say we should sell Longstaff for ‘pure profit’ as an academy graduate approaching the final 12 months of his contract, with Tonali set to return and Lewis Miley emerging as an ideal replacement.
So many elements of our attack are shaping up nicely. Trippier and Livramento are two superb attacking right-backs, Lewis Hall is developing nicely down our left, we have Bruno in the middle, an abundance of option at LCM when all return to fitness, two quality left wingers and a top striker in Alexander Isak, but there’s got to be a feeling our team could hit new heights once Tonali returns and a top right wingers is signed.
Personally would love to see Gordon on the right thought the front 3 of Barnes Isak Gordon against Spurs looked really threatening hopefully signing a striker and another wide forward who could play both sides would give us some real good strong options for next season
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Think Gordon is better on the left and should be sharing that with Barnes, we require upgrades on the right both Tonali and and Miley can take over from the expendable Longstaff.
In the short term we should keep Murphy and try and find a right hand side versatile forward who can also play through the middle.
As soon as we can find a quality right hand side winger Murphy should go.
Joseph(Quote)
Joseph still say a fully fit Longstaff is a vital cog of the squad think there is others in the squad we should be looking to move on before Longstaff thou I do think he’ll be more a squad player nxt season
Darren Bebb(Quote)