While a 2-0 defeat to Yokohama did not require an overreaction, poor displays from Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron fuelled more debate around their situations at the club.
The 24/25 season is earmarked to get Newcastle United back amongst Europe’s elite. In order to do that the club must do two things; improve the quality across the depth of the squad and reduce the number of minutes lost to injury.
In the appointment of James Bunce as performance director, available minutes will be under the microscope across all squad members. Which means the club need to actively make progress to improve the depth of quality.
Improving the squad of course, means moving players on which leads us to who needs to go. Almiron has shown poor form generally (despite effort) apart from his memorable purple patch. His effort in games and ability to close down and be active in the press is undeniable. However, moving to the next level requires more than effort. It means being able to use more than one foot on most occasions, being able to mix play up and not repeating cutting inside continuously.
Additionally (if we sign a right winger) Howe has options. Jacob Murphy has proven his worth in the squad and regularly puts in solid performance as well as being a popular figure in the dressing room. It looks increasingly likely that Kieran Trippier will stay this window so a formation change to wing backs with Trippier or Livramento providing quality in forward posts, in instances where a new winger or Murphy is not available. With a value of around £15m, the sale of Almiron would either cover money already spent this window or can be amortised to around £75m over five years. Almiron seems like a sensible sale, whether the player relinquishes his position of being happy and wanting to stay remains to be seen. Interest from Saudi Arabia doesn’t seem to be going away, and a deal could be easily agreed between clubs.
Sean Longstaff seems more likely to stay, despite the fact he’s out of contract next summer and at risk of leaving on a free at the end of the 2024/25 season. Heavily relied upon last season due to injury, despite his short comings Longstaff has been an important part of what Newcastle have done across the last couple of seasons. Those short comings can be significant, games at time pass Sean by and a lack of quality in the final third is a common criticism. However, his involvement in the side does not look to be likely to end any time soon with Lewis Miley’s injury, Sandro Tonali’s gradual reintroduction to the side (when his an ends later this month) and Joe Willock’s preference to play down the left meaning Longstaff will almost certainly start the season at RCM and stay for at least for another season.
His position, however, should absolutely be transitioned to a rotational squad player, allowing for Tonali and Miley to take priority in selection. Behind the scenes, Longstaff’s case is stronger than Almiron as a popular figure in the dressing room and being local has its advantages especially initiating new faces into the club. Additionally, there are the likely suitors for him, there has been little to no interest or enquiries into acquiring him which means we need to utilise him the best way possible.
Sales of both players should seriously be considered, but it should be Almiron who sees the exit door in a more realistic approach. With Longstaff still having a role in this Newcastle squad, at least for another season.
This is really a speed of progress issue.
Neither Miggy nor Sean are going to be in our starting eleven. Indeed neither is likely to be our primary back-up, being behind Murphy and Miley in the pecking order, assuming everyone is fit.
So selling them and reinvesting the money makes sense, but it is not needed this window. Does anybody seriously think that our purchase of a RW requires financing by selling Miggy. And selling Sean means that we only have five recognised midfielders which means that we would have to buy an extra CM this window, which is not budgeted for.
So yes by all means sell, but I’m not losing any sleep if they stay
PremAndUp(Quote)
Said this a few times Longstaff got a shocking deal off some fans especially being nowhere near 100% he was still the midfield’s top scorer personally think a fully fit longstaff is still an asset even if it is more of a squad player
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Is it only me who thinks this ?
I don’t see Sean Longstaff behind either Murphy or Miley in the pecking order.
I see him way in front of both.
I’m bored with people slating a player who puts in maximum effort every game, who really wants to play for Newcastle United, who puts in the hard yards, who plays through injury without whining, a player who Eddie Howe really likes for all those reasons. I think you will find he will feature many times this season.
Kristos Le Blanc(Quote)
Prem – I agree … BUT, if we keep them another season and they fall down our pecking order (and I agree they would) – then how much would their value be next summer for example?!.
If Longstaff went couldn’t Hall be moved into midfield?!.
We currently have Targett, Burn, Kelly and Lewis – plus the likes of Alex Murphy all able to play LB.
Sharpy17(Quote)
With hall at lb and livramento rb we have 2 of the best up and comin full backs
Coutts86(Quote)
Targett n lewis should be sold asap
Coutts86(Quote)
I don’t think anyone questions the effort & enthusiasm or either player to be fair – not on this site at least anyway.
But I can only speak for myself in saying that there has to be an end product to it all. Both have played enough games for NUFC now over multiple seasons to be judged fairly – and as honest & hardworking as each of them are, neither of they stats make for good reading.
Neither create or score enough goals, and neither have the composure in front of goals to improve those stats.
That’s not slagging either off. I respect both players & am grateful to both players – but our ambitions & objectives are different now & just being a hard working, decent lad isn’t good enough for where we want to be.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Coutts – I don’t disagree with that either.
I’d be starting Hall LB – but he could be used MF in an injury emergency, with others in the squad able to fill in at LB too.
But then again we also have Alfie Harrison who could move up in an injury emergency.
If Longstaff left, we’d have Bruno, Joelinton, Tonali, Willock, Miley – and players like Joe White & Alfie Harrison able to provide shorter term cover.
We could also move to 3 CBs in an injury crisis.
So I think we could comfortably move Longstaff on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just to clarify, I was saying that Miggy is behind Murphy in the Pecking order for RW
For CM I think it’s debatable whether Miley is in front of Sean, but it won’t be long before he certainly is and Sean is entering his last year of his contract. If I could only choose to keep one, it would be Miley.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Wrong bruno scored 7 league goals longstaff scored 6 league goals
GARY F(Quote)
Longstaff oh dear what are we aiming for mid-table?
Meerkat(Quote)
Don’t get the hate for Longstaff.
He’s a local lad, gives his all for the club and didn’t have a bad season last year, even though he played with an injury for most of the season.
If he could be more clinical with his finishing he could easily end up with double figures in the goals tally. I think he’s a great first team player, he may not start every game but who can we get that will be as effective.
Some *fans* need to rally around him instead of always getting on his back. To be a top four team you need players like him, committed to Newcastle and happy to help the team when called upon! I’d be looking to give him a contract extension, I don’t think we’d be able to find a more reliable replacement for 15 Mil which is what we’d get for him.
My two cents…
Greg Mills(Quote)
Longstaff got 8 in all comps I wasn’t just quoting prem league
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Sorry but he got a “shocking deal” that’s rubbish, he’s not a premier player. He runs more than anyone without the ball, when he does get he he gives it away you many times and bottles it in front of goal.
Tel 27(Quote)