Eddie Howe has made a lot about wanting leaders at Newcastle United. A group of players who collectively can steady the ship but equally can stand alone if called upon.
The January window saw United sign five players - all who have been deemed leaders in one way or another. Kieran Trippier is your obvious leader - loud and vocal, while someone like Bruno Guimaraes came in to lead by example, some might say in a quiet yet effective way.
United have continued their summer window in similar vain - signing players with a knack for leading from the front. Matt Targett, Sven Botman and Nick Pope all have elements of leadership.
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If you were asked to name the leaders in this Newcastle squad, you could probably list 10 if not more, and that is a remarkable feat considering the latter years of Mike Ashley’s ownership where it was felt by some, that the dressing lacked more than two or three.
As captain, Jamaal Lascelles’ ability to lead has never been in question, while Fabian Schar or Paul Dummett never shied away from facing the tough questions. But as Lascelles noted back in September “there have been times here, years here, where I’ve found it difficult trying to keep the dressing room together, keep relationships, keep things positive.”
Yet Lascelles managed to - it’s one of the reasons Howe, despite the feeling he wouldn’t, has stuck with him as captain. That leadership could also be the very reason why keeping Matt Ritchie at Newcastle - despite a probable lack of game time - could also prove to be a very shrewd move from Howe.
Ritchie played the full 90 minutes of Newcastle’s final pre-season game against Bilbao, and at times was the only thing you could hear. His vocality has all been a strength of the former Scottish international and could prove a very useful tool.
Having once sat a couple of desks away from him in the press box, I can tell you even when not on the pitch - Ritchie is just as vocal and kicks every ball. Under the previous ownership and manager, when things were particularly going bad - Ritchie was arguably the marker of Newcastle United under Ashley.
On one hand, he was the symbol of Ashley’s failure to invest in the squad as he was forced into an unnatural position as a left-wing-back or left-back. On the other hand, his attributes as a natural leader - someone who sets the highest standards and expects everyone around him to match them - was, and still is, something Newcastle fans value.
Saturday against Bilbao showed that Ritchie has that in abundance. He shouted throughout the game - ordering the defence to get ‘out’, ushering his teammates to the right spot when defending corners, and presenting that motivational voice when Bilbao stepped it up.
He put the miles in, running down everything - he really did seem like a man with a point to prove. But perhaps, the most telling moment was when Matt Bondswell came on for Paul Dummett. The youngster had impressed earlier last month against Benfica - but looked a little overcome as he was introduced onto the pitch at St James’ Park.
Throughout the 20 minutes he was on the pitch, Bondswell had the guiding hand of Ritchie - whether that be a voice in the ear or a hand gesture to where he should be standing. It is that sort of help from Ritchie that in many ways could be just as valuable as cross or tackle from the 32-year-old.
Howe, who worked closely with Ritchie at Bournemouth, is a big fan of the winger and seems very keen to keep him at Newcastle - but it appears open to the fact Ritchie may have other ideas.
“I think it's well documented my relationship with Matty," he said, "we go so far back, and the respect for him I have as a person. He's been incredible for me.
"He will have his own thoughts. Mine is to try and keep him, but it's well documented that Matty’s been away from his family for a long period of time.
"He loves playing for Newcastle – and is very passionate about the club – but, I think, it’s unclear what direction we’ll take this year. But, from both sides, there’s a lot of respect."
It is a question for Ritchie - given United are in the market for another winger. But for Newcastle, while Ritchie will arguably not start the majority of games he could well prove to be a crucial part of the picture off the pitch. That in itself could save the club millions if Ritchie's years of experience help the next generation to come through.
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