Close season is crucial if United are to get back on the right path again
JOHNGIBSON
PLAYERS of genuine quality have the ability to change the whole landscape of a football club.
Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes did it when they first arrived at Newcastle, playing a major role in turning what had become a regular grind against relegation into survival and hope.
That established, along came Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Nick Pope to add their considerable weight to what gloriously blossomed into a top-four finish, Champions League qualification and a Wembley cup final appearance.
Finally we have Anthony Gordon, who despite United’s desperately indifferent season this time around has stood out like a beacon with the sort of high-octane performances which have seen him become a fully-fledged England international.
What we are now crying out for in the next transfer window this summer is signings of the quality of the Super Six to halt a sliding decline and put United back on the road to prosperity.
The close season really will be critical to the growth of the Magpies. Get it right and the curve turns upwards once again. Get it wrong and optimism evaporates.
If Newcastle’s new owners rightly received glowing tribute for a successful transfer policy that lifted the Magpies from a relegation mire to the heights of Europe then the mood has significantly shifted.
Therefore this is the club’s real test, not just the policy makers but the recruiting staff upon whom they must rely for detail.
United’s last buying spree – the summer of 2023 – was both underwhelming and confusing. Though £131m was spent on five players with the commitment of a further £24m to come the immediate impact has proved very limited.
They appeared to be buying for the future when the present was in dire need of addressing to protect and enhance their stature.
The breakdown on the cash splashed goes like this: Sandro Tonali £52m, Harvey Barnes £38m, Tino Livramento £30m, Yanku Minteh £7m and Lewis Hall a £4m loan fee to be topped up to £28m when the transfer becomes permanent at this season’s end.
It is not the significant outlay that is of concern but the questionable selection of positions to be strengthened.
Livramento and Hall were never bought as more than cover fullbacks while Barnes was recruited immediately after Gordon arrived as the No.1 outside-left and Tonali when United were crying out for a different type of midfielder.
Minteh, meanwhile, was never even seen by the Toon Army being immediately shipped out on loan to Feyenood.
Perhaps, United fans have argued, the money would have been more wisely spent on a ready made centre-forward, outsideright, No.6, and a centre-half.
Now there are other situations to be addressed as well.
For example, United must add at least one goalkeeper to their shopping list with Loris Karius determined to leave to be nearer to his partner and their baby in Milan and Mark Gillespie, who has never made a PL start in four years, also
seeing his contract run out. Martin Dubravka at 35 could be said to be on the wrong side of the hill.
If a central defender was on the original shopping list then it is a priority now after the devastating news that both Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are out until December.
The recruitment of Livramento and Hall interestingly throws a spotlight on United’s full-backs. Since being under new management the Mags have signed plenty who can play in those positions without apparently solving the left-back problem.
On the other flank we have Trippier, Livramento and Harrison Ashby, bought for £3m from West Ham, as well as Sweden’s current No.2 Emil Krath while there are no fewer than seven who can operate as a No.3.
The apparently not-so-magnificent seven for that particular position? Dan Burn (regular choice though signed as a CD), Matt Targett and Hall, all brought in by Howe along with Trippier (played LB for England), and Livramento (consistently used there). Then there is Paul Dummett (Welsh international), and Jamal Lewis (current Northern Ireland LB). A bit of weeding to be done there!
No one arrived in the January transfer window we were told because of FFP restrictions, which means this summer will be a huge window of opportunity or another of frustrating restriction whichever way you look at it.
The worry is not just a relative lack of incoming players but the possible sacrifice of top performers. The selection of who is jettisoned if someone must be is equally as important as who arrives in their slipstream.
That is why United desperately wish for their new sporting director to be appointed in time to take part in the summer window as a figurehead for negotiations.
Executive search company Odgers Berndtson have been charged with finding the right person and the search is going on apace.
The list of those at risk of disappearing through the exit worries fans. Could it be Bruno or Isak? Anthony Gordon or Joelinton? I want to keep them all, of course, because all are quality. Any of those four departing would be a kick where it hurts to supporters desperate for United to rise from what once appeared to be a permanent slumber.
The trouble is, Bruno has a release clause inserted in his contract which means Newcastle cannot prevent it if a club stumps up the cash and the player wants to leave. Heaven forbid. Gordon and Joelinton, don’t even think about it. As for Isak, his goals return and link-up play are excellent.
No, sell Callum Wilson instead – he is a permanent injury concern – and if need be Miggy Almiron, though the trouble is neither would bring in as much money as Bruno, Alex or Big Joe.
What we are crying out for this summer is signings of the quality of the Super Six to halt a sliding decline