Speaking to the media this morning, Eddie Howe has been discussing the difficult decision to sell Yankuba Minteh, Sven Botman’s recovery from an ACL injury and Miguel Almiron’s late return from international duty.
The boss admitted that Minteh’s sale “still hurts” following his summer move to Saturday’s opponents Brighton, but insists the club “had no other option” to avoid a points deduction, with deals for Minteh and Elliot Anderson the only offers on the table at a time we needed to sell.
Howe also revealed that Minteh would’ve been part of our plans this season had he stayed, then commented on Botman’s recovery from knee surgery, confirming the Dutchman is “looking really good” but won’t train until the next international break (mid-November) as he targets a comeback around Christmas time.
Last but not least (see Howe’s quotes in full below), the boss revealed that Almiron is the “one player” he’s yet to see this week after he flew back from Paraguay duty just yesterday, although it’s hoped he’ll resume training today.
Howe on Yankuba Minteh – “In my view, it was absolutely the right thing to do but it still hurts to have done it. We had no other option. Whatever the narrative is in the future (based on how well Minteh does), it was still the right thing to do for Newcastle United. We couldn’t breach PSR or face a points deduction and these (Minteh and Anderson) were the only deals on the table at the time.
“We didn’t want to sell Yankuba at all and believed in his potential – everything about his profile fitted what we needed – but we had to make a decision based on finances.
“He would’ve been (involved at Newcastle this season) if he was ours. We would’ve utlised his skillset and we’ll have to defend well against him tomorrow, because we know he has pace, power and a lovely left foot. We’re well aware of his strengths.”
Howe on Sven Botman – “He’s hitting the right strength markers, he’s looking really good. We probably won’t see him training until after the next international break. He is closing in but it’s a long road. The reality is we’re probably looking more towards Xmas time.”
Howe on Miguel Almiron – “The only player we haven’t seen as of yet is Miguel Almiron. He was flying yesterday so we anticipate we’ll see him this morning. Everyone else is good and they’ve come back in good fettle.
"It was absolutely the right thing to do but it still hurts to have done it"
Eddie Howe says Newcastle did not want to sell Yankuba Minteh 'at all' ❌ pic.twitter.com/VWGnPhpFgn
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 18, 2024
Who was responsible for failing to move the “dead wood” out of the club in order to maintain a vibrant & youthful squad?
This is what caused us to lose Anderson & Minteh.
There are at least five players who could have gone and £20 milllion was spent on a goalkeeper we didn’t want into the bargain.
Mismanagement at the highest level seems to be the case.
Joseph(Quote)