As you might have noticed, a lot is happening at Newcastle United this summer.
Eddie Howe resigning and Matthias Jaissle replacing him.
Plus of course, a serious turnover in the Newcastle United squad.
Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali making all the headlines with their dual departures for a combined £170m.
Then the £75m Bruno Guimaraes move to Arsenal last weekend trumping those other two exits in terms of the quality leaving leaving St James’ Park.
However, it is not just high end quality we need to be worrying about losing, it is also numbers.
The 2025/26 Newcastle United squad didn’t have anything like enough strength in depth.
This summer, Newcastle United have already seen all of these players move out (including on loan) who played first team minutes last season.
Bruno Guimaraes
Aaron Ramsdale
Anthony Gordon
Sandro Tonali
Emil Krafth
Alex Murphy
Kieran Trippier
Anthony Gordon
In addition, we have also seen John Ruddy, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Matt Targett and Harrison Ashby exit.
When it comes to incomings, the only first team squad additions have been two goalkeepers (Jaouen aged 20, Hornicek 24), a winger (Toure 20), plus two midfielders (Steur 18, Bamba 20).
Nick Pope is definitely leaving and so he and Ramsdale (and Ruddy) replaced by the two new young keepers.
However, when it comes to outfield players we have seen a small Newcastle United squad lose so many more players this summer and only Steur, Toure and Bamba to replace them!
Two weeks on Tuesday the transfer window closes (11pm on Tuesday 1 September 2026) and I think we need at least five more signings by then.
I am not saying five top quality like for like replacements for such as Bruno Guimaraes, this is just players who could potentially hold their own if called up. In reality, I think we need at least two or three who would be serious first team contenders and another couple who can be squad players.
These friendlies have highlighted how short on numbers the Newcastle United squad is. Even with just a few players missing at the minute (Burn, Schar, Livramento, Miley) we look so thin in terms of strength in depth.
So many kids having to play who don’t look close to first team level as things stand, as seen in the second half against Everton at Murrayfield, as well as the earlier friendlies.
You also have the likes of Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy who are also both tipped to leave before the end of the window, so numbers potentially further diminished. Although reality is that there are major doubts on the likes of that pair (and one or two others) in terms of their effectiveness these days anyway.
We all know the financial restrictions, especially due to UEFA SCR rules, that have impacted Newcastle United.
However, with now the Bruno sale adding another huge slice of extra financial flex, Ross Wilson and Matthias Jaissle need to be getting very busy in these next few weeks. I know that loan deal aren’t something Newcastle United have been keen on, as it is seen throwing money at players who don’t become assets, BUT needs must and as well as buying in two or three players, I think we may well need a couple of key loan signings to protect us against very potential danger this coming season.