The Chronicle

Bruce has put stamp on transfer window

- By CIARAN KELLY Football writer ciaran.kelly02@reachplc.com @CiaranKell­y_

IT was a Monday to remember for Newcastle United supporters as Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser were unveiled within five hours of each other at St James’ Park – and this felt like a significan­t day in so many ways.

Just a few days ago, it was hard for fans to feel anything but apathetic about the new campaign when it was not even clear if they were going to be able to legally watch the first game of the season in their own homes. That was only the tip of the iceberg, of course.

A takeover had never been closer in the Ashley era but, to the billionair­e’s surprise, he was going into another season as the club’s owner; Jeff Hendrick and Mark Gillespie were the only additions through the door just a week before the start of the new campaign; and while it is never wise to read too much into pre-season results, Steve Bruce could only name four outfield substitute­s on the bench for the club’s final friendly against Stoke. In short, everyone needed a lift.

Wilson and Fraser will certainly give Newcastle that and while it is striking to see the Magpies target players with proven Premier League experience, what is most encouragin­g is that, already, you feel these two signings will immediatel­y improve the team.

Supporters do not need reminding that Jonjo Shelvey was the club’s top goalscorer in the Premier League last season; it says it all about Wilson’s hunger, mentality and high standards that he does not even want to be associated with the seven league goals he scored in his final campaign with Bournemout­h. Fraser has not had a vintage year but, like when Allan Saint-Maximin arrived 12 months ago, this is another potential game changer who recognises Bruce’s team-first mentality and knows he will not play unless he is prepared to work. That spirit is so important to Bruce and it is not a coincidenc­e that those players who helped Newcastle win the Championsh­ip in 2017 are so valued by him.

Wilson, Fraser, Hendrick and Gillespie all been part of spirited groups at their previous clubs and, despite the short turnaround, they should all slot in to the new dressing room fairly seamlessly.

It is what you expect from new signings but the quartet, in their own words, have all spoken of a ‘big’ club, have all done their research about the ‘quality’ in the squad and are all keen to take the Magpies onto the next level. To put it another way, they do not want to be involved in a relegation battle.

It has been a while since Newcastle fans have been able to truly dream but, at the very least this season, you would hope the Magpies can mount a top 10 challenge, have another run in the cup and then build from there in a year’s time.

Although all of Newcastle’s summer signings to date are aged 26 and over, there is one exception in Jamal Lewis, who moved from Norwich.

It says a lot about how much Bruce rates the left-back that he is willing to effectivel­y spend the rest of his transfer budget on the 22-year-old, but this will be a long-term investment and it is an area Newcastle needed to address.

Lewis’ mentality has always stood out from a young age and he used to call out his team-mates at Luton if standards dropped. That was when he was just 10 years of age.

It looks set to be a very different transfer window than last summer. Back then, foreign players aged 25 and under with experience of playing outside of their homeland were targeted and the club had done their homework by the time Bruce was parachuted into the hot seat just three-and-a-half weeks before the new season got under way.

Indeed, Joelinton, Allan SaintMaxim­in and Jetro Willems were aware of Newcastle’s interest several months before Bruce’s appointmen­t.

Bruce may have ultimately signed off on those deals but, with such a quick turnaround before the Premier League season started, the Newcastle head coach did not really have the chance to immediatel­y put his stamp on the side.

Having had time to assess his squad, the Magpies’ boss did not ultimately make a permanent signing in January and Boubakary Soumare’s decision to snub a move to St James’ Park ultimately proved a blessing.

Bruce, of course, would have been in an even more difficult position if Newcastle shelled out £35m on the Lille midfielder.

No one knew it at the time, but coronaviru­s would end up having a huge effect on the Newcastle head coach’s summer transfer budget.

While there have been a few twists and turns, one year on, this looks set to be a very different summer transfer window – and Bruce’s fingerprin­ts are all over it.

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 ??  ?? Steve Bruce meets with new signing Callum Wilson. Inset, latest signing Jamal Lewis
Steve Bruce meets with new signing Callum Wilson. Inset, latest signing Jamal Lewis

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