Newcastle United has been pushing the top clubs since the Saudi Arabian PIF took over ownership of the club. They Magpies have gone from strength to strength. Thanks to new manager Eddie Howe and his brand of “never say die” caliber of players in his ranks.
Newcastle Linked With a Striker
The Magpies have been linked with several players in the past few weeks and none of them includes a striker. The likes of Southampton defender Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall joining the club from Chelsea on a loan deal is not a bad deal, but fans are furious and asking for squad strengthening in attacking areas.
The team has been lacking in one crucial area over the previous few seasons: a capable striker. After losing to Manchester City and Liverpool at home, it is now clear the club has to sign a top-class goalscorer if they really want to contend for the league title or get past the Champions League group stages.
Striker Crucial for Newcastle’s Title Hopes
Newcastle United must search for a quality striker if they are to have any chance of winning the league in the current 2023–24 league campaign. Over the previous two to three seasons, finding a reliable goal scorer has been a major challenge for the Magpies. Without a consistent striker, they have little chance of winning the league or progressing past the group stages of the Champions League.
Currently, Joelinton, Callum Wilson, and Alexander Isak all serve as Newcastle’s primary strikers. However, the trio have had trouble scoring many goals. While the likes of Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes can add flair and creativity to their play, they still need a clinical finisher to take their chances on goal.
Newcastle Manager Howe was heard speaking in his press conference some weeks ago: “We are hoping for one more signing. No guarantee, but we will fight to the end to strengthen the squad”. After this proclamation, fans were hoping the club would sign another striker that fits in the number 9 role, but he however opted to strengthen his backline instead.
Though it may be difficult to find the ideal striker that fits into Newcastle’s system and brand of football. What the Magpies require as a striker is a player with the ability to connect up with the midfield, make deft moves, and possess a deadly sense in front of goal. Newcastle needs to find a striker who can excel in their offensive system, whether it’s a target man like Goncalo Ramos or a speedster like Napoli”s Victor Osihmen.
The Magpies would have a fearsome presence up front with someone like Victor Osihmen, or a possible headline acquisition, which would make opposition defenses cringe. This would not only raise their goal-scoring performance but also have a snowball effect, enhancing the team’s confidence all around.
Finding the right striker for Newcastle’s system
Players like Federico Chiesa, Habib Diallo, and Ferran Torres might be strong fits for the team, with other options available in the transfer market. Obviously, Newcastle can entice excellent attackers who want to be a part of a resurgent team under the direction of manager Eddie Howe.
Should Newcastle Manager “Howe” decide to find a top-class striker, such a player should be one that can improve on defense and counterattack tactics overall. The striker would offer a critical outlet and help the team release pressure because of the player’s capacity to slow down play and include teammates in the action. It would also give Newcastle’s offensive prowess a new dimension if they could win aerial duels and score goals from set pieces.
Victor Osihmen’s transfer value is between €60M and €96M, and bigger clubs in Europe are willing to offer a fee higher than his value. Should Osihmen join Newcastle, he would easily integrate into Newcastle’s system and adjust to the team’s style of play. A player like Osihmen can ease with the Premier League’s toughness and possess a commanding presence in the box.
Newcastle mainly relies on the link-up play, therefore the capacity to hold up the ball and bring teammates into play is particularly essential. Osihmen is a striker who is able to finish well and capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves. The kind of striker the Magpies should be looking for is someone who can score from a variety of positions and angles and possesses a natural knack for goal.
With the right striker leading the line, Newcastle can unleash their offensive potential and become a consistent threat to opposition defenses.
The current Newcastle team and its potential
After spending a club-record fee of €63million in obtaining Isak from Sociedad, we’ve already seen a massive boost in Newcastle’s squad.
The quality of Alexander Isak is already having a significant impact on Newcastle United’s defense and counterattack football. Firstly, his ability to hold up play and bring teammates into the game provides a crucial outlet for the team to relieve pressure. Instead of constantly defending, Isak can offer a target for long balls or through passes, allowing Newcastle to quickly transition from defense to attack.
Additionally, the new arrival from AC Milan “Sandro Tonali” has shaped how The Magpies approached their games. He can contribute to the team’s defensive efforts by pressuring opponents and winning back possession. His work rate and ability to close down attackers in the midfield can disrupt the opposition’s build-up play and force turnovers in dangerous areas. This not only relieves pressure on Newcastle’s defense but also creates scoring opportunities on the counterattack.
Altogether, Callum Wilson’s aerial prowess can be instrumental in both offensive and defensive set-piece situations. In attack, he can provide an extra body in the box to contest headers and create scoring opportunities from corners and free-kicks.
However, the quality and depth is what’s lacking in Newcastle’s attack. Earlier this season, Newcastle manager “Howe” in his press conference mentioned again the importance of signing new players. Speaking in a news conference before Newcastle’s first Premier league match against Aston Villa, Howe said: “we have the various competitions we’re involved in, so we need to be robust enough to deal with such challenge”.
Final thoughts
Newcastle fans will be eager and anticipating for the new arrival of a striker before the close of the transfer window. Last minute additions can be a surprise for football fans. But who exactly will the magpies add to their attacking line?
There are no lot of options at the moment and the club has spent over €120 million and hence may wait until the mid-season winter transfer window.
However, the Club also has FFP restriction policies to deal with and this may serve as a major blow to their trophy aspiration this season. It will be paramount for the Magpies to keep all their star players this season, and hopefully, no key player gets injured for a long spell.
The arrival of a star striker before the end of the summer transfer would be the icing on the cake. With a top-notch striker leading the line, Newcastle United is sure to become a more formidable and balanced team in all areas of the pitch.
If no deal is actualized, then all focus will be on Howe managing the team. The club has what it takes to compete, but with fixture congestion and the task of playing in the Champions league may be a daunting task.
Playing in the Champions League is something the club has not experienced in the last 20 years. It would be interesting to see how Howe copes in making the team more successful.