Newcastle Striker Joelinton has jokingly encouraged Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar to move to St. James' Park this summer.
The Magpies have been one of the busier Premier League clubs so far in the transfer window, completing three signings as Matt Targett, Nick Pope and Sven Botman all made the move to St. James' Park. Eddie Howe will welcome his squad and staff back to the training ground on Friday July 1, with the club already strengthening the manager's defensive options ahead of next season.
Newcastle are interested in signing at least one attacker this summer, with Bayer Leverkusen's Moussa Diaby being heavily linked with a move to the north east. The Magpies have been linked with making a move for Neymar with the Brazilian's future in doubt, and his countryman Joelinton has been quoted as saying "Ney, if you are listening to this, you can come!"
But despite these comments and links, Chronicle Live understands that the Magpies will not be making any approach for Neymar during the summer transfer window.
READ MORE: Sven Botman's agent explains Premier League dream after Newcastle United switch
Following Newcastle's takeover last year, the club has been linked to a number of high-profile superstars with the club now able to able to compete financially in the transfer market. So, what would happen if Neymar was to make the improbable move to Newcastle? And, what sort of impact could he have on Howe's side?
For a bit of fun, we simulated the 2022/23 season with Neymar in Howe's squad and this is what happened.
We 'signed' Neymar for Newcastle United
To set up this simulation, we used the Football Manager 2022 editor to arrange for Neymar to join the Magpies at the start of the 2022 summer transfer window, using FM22 to run the simulation. This is what Neymar's in-game profile looks like on FM22.
The 30-year-old winger is classed as an 'elite winger' with exceptional technical, mental and physical attributes. Neymar is able to play at left-wing, attacking midfield and striker making him a versatile option in attack.
The Brazil international excels in his Dribbling (20), Technique (20), Flair (20), Agility (18), First Touch (18), Off The Ball (17), Composure (17), Free Kick Taking (17), Penalty Taking (17), Passing (16), Crossing (16), Corners (16), Finishing (16), Vision (16), Anticipation (16) and Determination (16). Neymar tends to use the outside of his foot when shooting or passing, trying tricks often and cuts in from either wing.
In this 2021/22 simulation, the Brazilian made a sensational impact. The iconic forward scored 17 goals and registered eight assists in his debut season at St. James' Park, making a total of 46 appearances in total for Howe's side. Neymar was influential in Newcastle's Premier League and FA Cup performances, whilst only being used as a substitute in the Carabao Cup.
The 30-year-old was able to adapt to the Premier League straight away, registering 20 goal contributions in his debut season in England. The Brazilian averaged a match rating of 7.43 in all competitions, ranking him as Newcastle's best player in the 2022/23 campaign.
Surprisingly, Neymar averaged a tackle success rate of 91% in all competitions, higher than any other attacker at the club, highlighting his ability to defend from the front and win the ball back for his side. The 30-year-old earned seven player of the match awards, more than any other Newcastle player in the 2022/23 season.
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 the Magpies' 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; Saint-Maximin, Joelinton, Neymar; Wilson.
Neymar featured in Newcastle's best XI for the 2022/23 season alongside Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and Wilson in attack. So, how did Howe's side perform in the league and cup competitions after signing Neymar in the summer transfer window? Let's take a look.
Newcastle's results from the 2022/23 simulation
Newcastle finished seventh in the Premier League with Neymar, qualifying for the Europa Conference League and just missing out on Europa League qualification by just three points, with Manchester United ending the season in sixth. Howe's side were able to improve upon last season's league finish by four positions, ending the 2022/23 campaign with eight more points and a better goal difference by +19 (+1).
Neymar's contributions in attack along with the defensive reinforcements saw Newcastle challenge for a Europa League spot up until the final day of the season, sealing their best Premier League finish since the 2011/12 season. In the cup competitions, the Magpies struggled to compete in the Carabao Cup but went on a historic run in the FA Cup before facing Man City in the final.
Newcastle were dumped out of the Carabao Cup fourth round on penalties after drawing 1-1 with Arsenal in regular time, with Saint-Maximin equalising from the penalty spot before half-time. In the FA Cup, Newcastle beat Brighton, Everton and Aston Villa on their way to Wembley but weren't able to lift the famous trophy following a 3-0 defeat to Man City in the final.
Overall, this Football Manager simulation predicts that if Newcastle were to sign Neymar this summer, he could become Newcastle's best player under Eddie Howe, scoring 17 goals and registering eight assists in his debut season in England, showing he can adapt to the Premier League's physicality and pace of play. However unlikely a move for Neymar would be, there's no doubt that it would be great to see the Brazilian in the Premier League.
Would you like to see Neymar sign for Newcastle this summer? Let us know in the comments!
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