Even with the season just under two months old, a number of stars have enjoyed fantastic starts to their own individual campaigns.
Nick Woltemade has taken the league by storm with three goals in his first three starts at St James’ Park, Malick Thiaw has been a rock at the back and midfield duo Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali are reminding people why they are two of the best players outside the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’.
But Sven Botman has been sensational and a big part of our rock-solid defence, with the Rolls-Royce Dutchman showing signs of being back to his very best after a couple of seasons blighted by injury and fitness concerns.
And the club’s higher-ups are keen to see Botman stay at the club for the foreseeable future, with a new contract looking to be on the cards…
Botman keen to sign
According to the i’s Mark Douglas, Newcastle look set to commence talks with Botman over extending his stay on Tyneside, and it could relatively smooth negotiations between the club and player.
Botman, whose contract expires in 2027, is thought to be ‘keen’ to extend his stay at St James’ Park, where Eddie Howe, his teammates and the fans have lavished him with praise over the last few weeks.
It’s thought contract talks could be high on the to-do list of any new sporting director, still expected to be Nottingham Forest’s Ross Wilson, and it may be a ‘slam dunk’ extension with Botman eager to open talks.
As solid and dependable as they have been over the last few years, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar aren’t getting any younger at 33. Meanwhile, Botman and summer signing Malick Thiaw already look like an experienced pairing and could be our starting centre backs for years to come.
And in a vital World Cup year, where Botman will be hoping to make the Netherlands squad and secure his maiden cap for his country, playing high level football consistently for a club like us will be his best chance of a call up.
A brilliant start to big season
It felt like the 2025/26 season was always going to be make or break for Botman and his Toon career, as fans clamoured for him to once again show signs of his 2022/23 self.
Thankfully, that’s what we’ve been treat to on the pitch. Having started our last five games, Botman has been instrumental in our fantastic defensive performances so far this season, as we have the most clean sheets in the Premier League.
Week after week, the £35m we paid Lille for his services back in 2022 looks like more and more of a bargain. And if he can avoid injury, there’s no reason why he can’t challenge the likes of Virgil Van Dijk and Gabriel as the league’s best pure defender.
No doubt clubs of Liverpool and Real Madrid’s stature would be dreaming of having Botman in their defence, but if we can lock down a content Botman to a new deal, it’ll take an extraordinary fee for us to even consider selling him in the future, much like what we faced with Isak as we turned him into a world beater.
I think there have to be talks with Sandro too.
Flyingmag(Quote)
We are building an excellent team
————-—- New needed —————-
Tino —— Thiaw — Botman —- Hall
——Tonali — Bruno — Joelinton —-
Elanga ——- Woltemade —- Gordon
Over the next 3 years I think there’s only Joe and maybe Bruno who would turn 30 or old.
If we could keep and build on the core of that 10 – even if we can keep 6 or 7 of them, then I think we stay in that top 6 – and who knows 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The next two window’s we are going to seriously have to look at younger options to sign. Trippier Krafth Schar and Burn, all wrong side of 30, eventually right and left backs to challenge and compete with Livremento and Hall and RCB to replace Schar, Burn could get nxt season out of him. Hopefully some coming through the ranks to challenge.
Darren Bebb(Quote)
We don’t need to sign a RB the best young player in our academy (imo) Leo Shahar is more than capable of making the step up. He’ll be the next star out of our academy for sure, great defensively, good on the ball, gets up the line well and while in a wicked cross.
Our academy has some promising young uns but for me this lad is the next to make it, proper class act.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
# whips in a wicked cross
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
Fingers crossed he can step up to challenge for first team, the money can be spent on other areas of the squad
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Both Little & Big Joes will need replacing in the near future. And I’m sure Wissa will get a spot in that starting line up, at who’s expense I’ve no idea though.
Victor D Bates(Quote)