Dozen stars with a point to prove
WITH the new season eight games old, it is starting to become apparent which Magpies stars have a point to prove.
Steve Bruce brought in five new players over the summer and Newcastle now have options in every position on the pitch.
As such, a number of players have a fight on their hands to win a place in Bruce’s regular starting XI, while a number of players will be looking to win new deals at St James’ Park.
The Chronicle has picked out 12 players who have a point to prove at Newcastle this term.
JOELINTON
It is fair to say the Brazilian struggled in his first season at Newcastle.
After joining the Magpies for a club record fee from Hoffenheim last summer, Joelinton found the net just twice in the Premier League and United struggled to find his best position.
These struggles have continued into this season and with the Magpies boasting an array of attacking options, the 23-year-old needs to prove he is worthy of the backing Bruce has given him.
RYAN FRASER
Fraser joined Newcastle on the back of a controversial final season at Bournemouth.
With his eyes set on a free transfer away from the south coast, Scotland international Fraser decided against playing in Bournemouth’s final nine games of the season for fear of injury putting a move away from the Vitality Stadium in jeopardy.
He joined United looking to rediscover his best form amid criticism of his decision from some quarters and will hope for a regular run of games to prove he was right to force a move away from Bournemouth.
MARTIN DUBRAVKA
If we were compiling this list at the start of the campaign, Dubravka would not have been anywhere near it.
After all, he has been Newcastle’s most consistent performer since joining the club in January 2018.
However, Dubravka’s ankle injury has afforded Karl Darlow the opportunity to pick up the gloves and the Magpies’ stand-in goalkeeper has excelled so far this season.
Should Darlow’s form continue, Slovakian international Dubravka could well face a fight to retain his place between the sticks.
DWIGHT GAYLE
Gayle has always faced a battle against the stigma he is too good for the Championship and not good enough for the Premier League.
The 30-year-old finally found some form in front of goal at the end of last season, scoring five goals in his final 10 matches of the season.
However, momentum was lost when Gayle picked up a knee ligament injury in pre-season and he could be out until the new year.
By that time, he will just have a matter of months left on his current deal on Tyneside and a decision will have to be made over his future.
ANDY CARROLL
Carroll has had a positive influence on the dressing room since his return to the club last summer and has been a handful, at times, for opposition defences.
However, he is yet to score a competitive goal during his second spell
at Newcastle and that has to improve in the coming weeks and months.
DEANDRE YEDLIN
Yedlin was told he could leave Newcastle this summer and Besik- Southampton and Inter Miami were said to be among the interested parties.
In the end, he remained on Tyneside and he is third choice in the pecking order.
Bruce was open to him staying but now he is in the final year of his contract the USA international will be keen to prove his worth to secure a stay at United or a move elsewhere. tas,
FABIAN SCHAR
Like Yedlin, there was a point over
the summer when it looked possible Schar could leave Newcastle amid interest from Serie A and the Bundesliga. The Swiss international remained at the club and has been involved in recent Premier League clashes against Burnley and Manchester United. He is not part of Bruce’s first-choice central defensive partnership, though, and has plenty to prove between now and the end of the season to win a new deal or a high-profile move away from the club. ably
CIARAN CLARK Towards the end of 2019, Clark was arguNewcastle’s most
in-form defender. However, he has had a horrible time with injuries in 2020 and is only now returning to fitness.
The Republic of Ireland international is out of contract at the end of the campaign.
SEAN LONGSTAFF ( LEFT)
After bursting on to the scene at the start of 2019 under Rafa Benitez, Longstaff’s performances have been a mixed bag under Bruce.
He has largely played second fiddle to Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden in midfield and, despite a positive performance in the number 10 role in the FA Cup and against Bournemouth last season, Bruce has preferred other options in the role this term.
Nonetheless, Bruce confirmed he will look at renewing contracts in the next two months and Longstaff is prominent in his thoughts.
MIGUEL ALMIRON
Almiron was Newcastle’s top scorer last season and one of the Magpies’ brightest lights.
However, Bruce has started him just once in the Premier League this term and has preferred Joelinton and Andy Carroll in the forward role alongside Callum Wilson.
FEDERICO FERNANDEZ
Ever since he arrived at Newcastle in the summer of 2018, the Argentina international has been Newcastle’s most consistent performer in defence.
That has carried on to this season and he remains a player Bruce depends upon.
So much so Bruce extended his initial two-year deal at the end of last season but the 31-year-old will be keen to earn a fresh extension at the end of this current campaign.
JACOB MURPHY
Murphy had not featured for Newcastle for 18 months - but an impressive loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday last term put the former England under-21 international winger back on Steve Bruce’s radar.
Murphy’s pre-season performances convinced Bruce to hand him an opportunity in the Carabao Cup and impressive displays against Newport and Morecambe placed him firmly in the coach’s plans.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, he will look to continue to impress.