Reports suggest that Newcastle United are interested in a quartet of Chelsea players this summer, including Callum Hudson-Odoi and Armando Broja.
It's been a strong start to the Premier League season for the Magpies, with Eddie Howe 's side winning one and drawing one from their opening two games. Summer signings Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Matthew Targett have all impressed, though Newcastle could delve into the transfer market again before its closure at the end of the month.
According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are interested in Chelsea's Conor Gallagher, Cristian Pulisic, Hudson-Odoi and Broja, but the Magpies are only allowed to bring in one player on loan from a single club at a time. Newcastle have shown long-term interest in Broja who could potentially move on a permanent deal, whilst Hudson-Odoi is the most likely out of the other three to leave on loan this summer.
ALSO READ: Newcastle transfers state of play: Joao Pedro "mystified" by transfer block as United try again
So, if Callum Hudson-Odoi and Armando Broja were to make the move to Newcastle this season, what sort of impact could the Chelsea duo have on the Magpies? Let's find out.
We 'signed' Callum Hudson-Odoi and Armando Broja for Newcastle
To set up this simulation, we used the Football Manager 2022 editor to arrange for the Blues duo to join Newcastle this season. We also updated Newcastle with the latest squad and the Premier League with the latest results.
Both players had decent first seasons with the Magpies, with Broja the standout of the two. The Albanian striker became Newcastle's first choice number nine, playing 34 games whilst grabbing 11 goals.
Hudson-Odoi scored six times and assisted twice in 31 appearances, ending the season as Newcastle's fifth-top goalscorer. Allan Saint-Maximin grabbed the most goals, the most assists and averaged the highest average rating at the club, with Broja (6.85) and Hudson-Odoi (6.89) rated lower.
At the end of the 2022/23 season, Football Manager 2022 put together an overall best Newcastle XI, based on performances, statistics and other metrics. This is what Newcastle's best XI looked like at the end of the 2022/23 season as predicted by Football Manager 2022:
Full Newcastle best XI (4-2-3-1): Pope; Trippier, Botman, Lascelles, Targett; Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton; Saint-Maximin, Broja, Hudson-Odoi.
Both of the loanees made the best XI at Newcastle, with Wilson missing out to Broja up-front and Hudson-Odoi starting on the left wing. Joe Willock missed out on a spot in midfield to Jonjo Shelvey, whilst Jamaal Lascelles started ahead of Fabian Schar.
Neither of the new signings appeared in the cups, with Howe's side eliminated early in both domestic competitions. The worst result of the Magpies' entire season came in the Carabao Cup, being knocked out in the second round to Championship opposition.
Despite taking the lead through Jacob Murphy, Sheffield United responded with four goals, beating the Magpies 4-1 in the second round. Howe's side also failed to get past the third round of the FA Cup, losing 2-1 to Wolves in extra time.
But, with no cup distractions, the Magpies thrived in the Premier League, finishing seventh in the table. A poor end to the season saw Newcastle lose three of their last six, but they still did enough to claim a spot in the Europa Conference League for the following season.
Overall, Football Manager predicts that the addition of Broja and Hudson-Odoi could put Newcastle in great shape for the season, with the duo playing vital roles in pushing Howe's side into a European spot in the simulation. If the Magpies were to bring both players to Newcastle this summer, it could prove great business.
Would you like to see Newcastle sign Callum Hudson-Odoi and Armando Broja? Let us know in the comments!
READ NEXT:
- Match verdict as Nick Pope justifies big Eddie Howe decision
- Pope shines and Joelinton strong: Newcastle player ratings
- Callum Wilson talks about life at Newcastle's under-construction training ground
- Brendan Rodgers drops fresh hint to Newcastle United on James Maddison
- Newcastle transfers state of play as Howe has already commented on Benfica star
