Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw has made a superb start to life at St James’ Park after arriving from AC Milan.
AC Milan would be wise to start bumping up their asking prices for players if Newcastle United want them.
Sandro Tonali joined Newcastle in 2023, and he is becoming one of the Premier League’s very best midfielders.
The Magpies came calling again this past summer as Eddie Howe finally signed Malick Thiaw.
Newcastle wanted Thiaw last summer, but the patience has paid off after finally signing him in August.
Malick Thiaw earns comparison to Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger
Thiaw may have his doubters in Italy, but he has made a sensational start to life at Newcastle.
The German has shown off every quality you would want from a centre-back: strong, fast, great reading of the game and composed in possession.
Thiaw’s early rapport with Sven Botman has also been impressive, giving Newcastle fans reason to be excited for the future.
Magpies fans already love Thiaw, and he has now earned a comparison to Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger.
Speaking to BBC Sport, performance consultant Paul Winsper – who worked with Thiaw over the summer – suggested that his mentality is similar to Rudiger’s.
Winsper believes that Thiaw will thrive under pressure just like Rudiger and thinks that he has the character to shine at Newcastle.
“I’m not saying AC Milan are not a big club – they are – but it’s a different atmosphere at Newcastle and he has the character,” said Winsper.
“His mentality reminds me a lot of Toni Rudiger. When you get him under pressure, he is going to thrive,” he added.
Germany surely cannot overlook Malick Thiaw
The 2026 World Cup is looming large, and Thiaw will have dreams of playing for Germany.
Julian Nagelsmann curiously left Thiaw out of the last Germany squad, and the Newcastle star is running out of time to break in.
Thiaw only has three Germany caps to his name, and he hasn’t played since 2023.
Now shining in the Premier League, Thiaw is surely doing enough for Nagelsmann to take a close look.
A call-up could see Thiaw play alongside Rudiger for Germany, but missing out on a call-up in November may bring an end to Thiaw’s lingering World Cup hopes.
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