Newcastle United could field an entirely different side to the one that beat Burnley on the final day of the 2021-22 campaign. Post-season excitement is emanating around Tyneside as the new Saudi-backed regime tackle their first summer transfer window at the helm.
Fans’ annual fear over which players will be leaving has transformed into optimism as Toon chiefs aim to give Eddie Howe the tools to help propel the Magpies up the table. ChronicleLive have balanced the new owners’ pledge for a “steady build” with dream signings who have a realistic chance of donning black-and-white stripes come August 6.
Far-fetched transfers will not be included in our “dream XI”. Absurd reports emerged last month linking Newcastle with a move for Brazil and PSG superstar Neymar and Manchester United misfit Paul Pogba. You do not have to be a lifelong season ticket holder in the Gallowgate End to know these claims are far from plausible.
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Between the sticks poses a dilemma as Martin Dubravka has been the undisputed number one since 2018. Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson was heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park but is now expected to join Nottingham Forest on loan. Burnley’s Nick Pope is another England international touted to join Newcastle… but is he better than the current Toon shot-stopper?
In defence, supporters are likely sick to death of the ongoing Sven Botman saga. Persuading the Dutch U21 international to choose Tyneside over Milan would be a statement of intent but may prove difficult given there is no European football on offer. Elsewhere, most of the backline was bolstered in January, with Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett answering the Magpies’ perennial full-back problems. The latter made his loan switch permanent a fortnight ago and should start against Nottingham Forest.
Brazilian duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton are the latest cult heroes at St James’ Park and will likely be in the line-up for the season opener. However, the deep-lying role Jonjo Shelvey fulfilled last season could be taken by another “dream arrival. PSV midfielder Ibrahim Sangare - valued at £30million - has reportedly attracted interest from Newcastle. The Ivorian, ironically, is of a similar ilk to the late Cheick Tiote and would add much-needed steel to the Toon engine room.
Up front, Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 system leaves just one space for a central striker. Callum Wilson excelled at the back end of the season but question marks remain over his injury record. Signing Hugo Ekitike as an understudy could prove an astute move should the Magpies’ number nine serve more time on the treatment table. Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby is one of the hottest properties in European football after bagging 13 goals and 12 assists in the Bundesliga. A French duo of Diaby and Allan Saint-maximin on the wings would electrify the St James’ park audience next season.
ChronicleLive “dream XI” vs Nottingham Forest: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Sangare, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Diaby, Saint-Maximin, Wilson
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