With the January transfer window fast approaching, Newcastle United have a couple of areas they need to work on, but Eddie Howe is going to have to perform a delicate balancing act.
The season is just starting to pick up for Newcastle, who are now on a three-game unbeaten run heading into this weekend’s clash with Burnley.
If Kieran Trippier isn’t Newcastle United’s best-ever January transfer signing, who is?
Eddie Howe may be seeing improvements in his team, but there’s still work to be done. January is an interesting time for any club, with some reluctant to do business, but we expect the Magpies to dip their toe in the market, at least.
Indeed, it’s said Newcastle want a new full-back and a new midfielder as priorities in the New Year. But Howe will surely find it hard to tempt new players to join for one reason.
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Newcastle United may be frustrated in full-back search
While Newcastle do need a new full-back, the problem is Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are simply too good.
Any player coming into Newcastle will know they are only going to be playing second fiddle to the two talismanic full-backs. That’s not exactly the most enticing offer for most players, especially in a World Cup year.
The fact of the matter is, Newcastle are a much better team when both players are in the starting line-up. In fact, the Magpies have not lost a game when they have both started this season. Unfortunately, that’s only four matches, and therein lies the issue.
Newcastle need cover on both sides of defence. It’s no good playing Dan Burn at left-back, and Kieran Trippier is also injured which leaves the right side at risk, too.
But, just as Tottenham Hotspur found out, signing back-ups to your best players is a near impossible task. Harry Kane was undroppable for Spurs during his time there, which is the main reason the Lilywhites had to make do with players like Carlos Vinicius, Vincent Janssen, and even Richarlison, to an extent.
The same applies to Livramento and Hall, so the task for Howe is essentially to either find a player good enough to truly challenge them, or settle for a sub-par player who will be happy enough playing a bit-part role.
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Eddie Howe needs to be ambitious with transfer targets
While the option of finding a suitable second-choice full-back may make the most sense in terms of squad harmony and financial outlay, there is something very tempting about the idea of going big and signing another elite full-back.
If you look at Arsenal, for example, this season they have essentially got eight top-drawer defenders competing for four spaces in the team. That’s working out pretty well for them, isn’t it?
Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall need help!
Newcastle United need a new full-back, but should Eddie Howe go big or play it safe?
Newcastle United cannot lose when Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall start together.
Which full-back would you sign in January?
Can you imagine if Spurs had managed to sign another world class striker alongside Kane; someone who would push the England captain all the way and make him sweat over his spot?
It’s easier said than done, of course. You have to identify that player, spend money on that player, and convince them to come. But, if Newcastle want to go to the next level and truly break the Big Six, this is how they do it, and PIF need to make that investment.
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