Newcastle United fans can’t expect to see their club sign world stars like Robert Lewandowski but should be excited to see more players at the level of Bruno Guimaraes arriving in the short term. That’s the view of legendary commentator Clive Tyldesley who has been left intrigued with what the future holds for the club following the Saudi-led takeover.
January saw the Magpies manoeuvre the transfer window carefully, signing the likes of Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Dan Burn. For many, it is the signing of Guimaraes which stood out.
The Brazilian midfielder was labelled as one of the best midfielders in Europe at the time - reportedly wanted by both Arsenal and Juventus - and his performances since joining Newcastle United have done little to disprove that notion. Tyldesley, who has spent decades covering the Premier League, FA Cup and England international games, believes Guimaraes’ arrival will be a big plus when it comes to selling the club to potential arrivals.
LISTEN TO THE EVERYTHING IS BLACK AND WHITE PODCASTS - THE BEST EVER NUFC CAPTAINS
“There were massive expectations that came with the ownership deal,” he told Chronicle Live. “The decision to bring Eddie [Howe] in to oversee the spending of the money and coaching of the team - on both counts, it's been pretty much an unqualified success.
“I know being close to Steve [Bruce] how valuable Callum Wilson was to his Newcastle, and they've barely had Callum all season. We got a little glimpse towards the end of the season of what he can still do in a Newcastle no. 9 shirt.
“The fact Guimaraes came will encourage others of a similar ilk. I don't think Robert Lewkdonski is going to sign or even Kalvin Phillips but you might get some more in the Guimaraes range. That's exciting.”
The buyout of Newcastle was led by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, and the involvement of the group has brought plenty of attention to the club. In recent weeks the launch of a new golfing tournament LIV Golf - backed by Saudi Arabian money - has once again thrust the state’s involvement in sport into the public eye.
Howe, like many of the golfers to have joined the tour, has faced questions from journalists about perceived sports washing. Tyldesley, a massive fan of golf as well as football, believes Howe has handled the scrutiny well.
“In addition to the responsibility that came with spending the money,” Tyldesley notes, “Eddie has also had to deal with questions of just how and why the money has come from.
“I love my golf - and this is not an issue that is suddenly going to disappear in a puff of smoke amid the smiles and expectations there are going to be on the Gallowgate next season. To have a man in charge who can handle that [is important] - and that is the nature of the 21st-century manager you need a man with great football acumen but also one who is a sensible and caring individual who can lead your club. Someone to be the figurehead for your team - and Newcastle have got that.
“We've seen with the LIV golf initiative that the issue of Saudi Arabia's human rights record is always going to be part of the conversation surrounding any investments in sport and entertainment. I'd like to think that the owners will be mindful of that and not do anything to make Eddie Howe's job any more difficult than it already is. The green away shirts are an example of doing just that unnecessarily. Read the room. If you're serious about creating something that's good, respect the reservations and questions that others have about you. Try to address them. Don't raise more.”
Newcastle have approached this summer’s transfer window calmly and with a plan in place on who they are looking to sign. Left-back Matt Targett and goalkeeper Nick Pope have already arrived, while the club are still hoping to bring in defender Sven Botman and striker Hugo Ekitike.
Tyldesley is happy to see Howe being given a chance at Newcastle - even if it came at the expense of good friend Steve Bruce.
“I'm really pleased about what is happening,” he added. “Even though Steve Bruce is a close friend of mine, Eddie Howe is someone I know and like too and as they say, you identify with the guys. Believe me, I don't like them all!
“Sometimes when a particular manager takes charge of a club, I'm secretly and privately wanting them to lose every time they take the field but Eddie is one of the good guys in my book and Jason [Tindall] too.
“They were brought in to manage a situation that came with a lot of expectations and I think pressure is often an overused word in football. What is pressure? It's expectation. People's expectations of you and your own expectation, if you add them two things together it equals pressure.
“If he gets an even break, I can remember times in the season just gone when Newcastle had all three major attacking players unavailable through injury, there's not much you can do about that whether you are Steve Bruce, Eddie Howe or Jurgen Klopp, there is only so much you can do.
“With a fair wind and a good break, and a bigger and stronger squad and no-one predicting a Champions League victory in the next two years then hopefully, what Newcastle United, from an outsider, needs is a steady upward curve.
“As long as you can see the process the fans will stick with the idea and hopefully, the owners will get a feeling for the realities of making progress in a league where Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Arsenal are also trying to achieve the things you're trying to achieve.”
READ MORE
Newcastle have new secret agent transfer advantage that will see Gareth Southgate finally return
'An absolute monster' - Newcastle find £10m bargain Eddie Howe will love and what he texted pal
Why Newcastle United's economical start to transfer window opens door to exciting July
Newcastle note book: Howe's headache as 34 stars set to return and costly six-figure wage warning
Sven Botman has passed Newcastle's secret tests for transfer targets to silence AC Milan doubts
