The Wishes of a Probably Over-Optimistic Fan

After a sometimes gruelling, occasionally joyous, but a mostly dull and uninspiring season Newcastle will be heading back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. It was very much job done by Benitez and co, whose accomplishment remains impressive when one looks comparatively about the fare of other relegated teams in recent history. Benitez set out not to dazzle this league, but to get through it. And through it we are. This was all made sweeter, of course, by the fact that Sunderland suffered relegation this season at the three millionth time of asking.

With no apparent saviour to call for on for an end of season run – the Black Cats were left to revel in what they have been for the vast, vast majority of their stay in the Premier League: abject. Some may castigate Newcastle for failing to turn up for the derbies (and rightly so), but to continue to perform the way Sunderland have for the last seven years outside of those derbies is downright pathetic. And after reading various national columns over the weekend, it appears that it isn’t just a section of the north-east glad to see them leave. Goodbye, Sunderland, you won’t be missed.

Returning to the black & whites, it is clearly a case of ‘phase one’ complete for Benitez, who took the job with an eye to building on the aim of promotion by turning Newcastle into a first competent, and then hopefully successful, Premier League side. While there has been much speculation about Benitez’s intentions for next season, it’s safe to assume that he will be the man in the hot seat providing sufficient funds are available and the requisite backing from the people who matter is provided.

Benitez would walk-away given the wrong circumstances, but he also has plenty of incentives to stay on given the right ones. As has been written, he loves a project, he demands control, and he enjoys cultivating a bond with supporters. All of those things he currently enjoys – and should they remain, we can look forward to the August fixtures with security.

That said, for those employed by the club, and none more so than Benitez himself, this is a huge summer for the Magpies. Assuming for now that Benitez is given the backing he demands, it’s worth asking about what a restructured Newcastle squad might, or should, look like at the end of the summer. The remainder of this article, then, takes each squad member one by one, and assesses his prospects for next year. Will he be here? Should he? At the end I’ll suggest some possible incomings, but note these are only the wishes of a probably over-optimistic fan, and shouldn’t necessarily be taken seriously.

Goalkeepers:

Karl Darlow:

After taking the helm from the disastrous Matz Sels, Darlow was largely solid and occasionally spectacular in goal. An excellent shot stopper, he clearly has a knack for saving penalties, performing heroics during the farcical event at the City Ground. Mistakes and lapses in concentration, however, have also followed him; which eventually saw Benitez drop our number 1 for the fit again Rob Elliot. At 26 he still has time to improve, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll ever nail down the number 1 spot.

Rob Elliot:

Elliot has turned his career around at Newcastle. That his return to the starting line-up was greeted so emphatically is a testament to that. It seems likely that he will start the season as first choice.

Matz Sels:

One of admittedly quite a few Benitez signings that demonstrably didn’t pay off. Sels was hopeless from day one. He must have some talent – how would you get yourself into the Belgium squad otherwise? – but, following the likes of Thauvin and Tomasson, it seems that Newcastle is not the place to realize it. I would be astonished if he wasn’t sold.

Tim Krul:

Krul will return to Newcastle this summer, and it remains to be seen what his status will be going forward. Last summer, Benitez suggested that the loan move was just that – a loan – but depending on how much pressure there is to generate funds to improve the squad elsewhere, he could well become expendable.

Defenders:

Vurnon Anita:

The ultimate utility man, Anita has been predictably solid and unspectacular at RB this season, and it seems whichever league he’s playing in he will ‘do a job.’ He’s one of those players that would likely impede Newcastle’s progress going forward, but is still useful to have in the squad. Benitez likes him, and don’t be surprised to see a contract extension in the summer.

DeAndre Yedlin:

Yedlin showed flashes of potential in his first season with the Toon. Blessed with lightning pace, he is an undeniably capable player. I cannot see any reason why he wouldn’t be with us next year. That said, there remains a question remark over both his and Anita’s suitability for the PL, meaning that we may yet strengthen at RB. Watch this space.

Jamaal Lascelles:

Like everyone else, I was impressed with Lascelles at the back end of last year; when he was at least willing to stand up and be counted. I did, however, think it was a mistake to name him captain. This is not simply because he is young, but because he strikes me as the sort of player who makes his name by what he says in front of the cameras rather than what he does on the pitch. I am averse to players like this. He has been found out on multiple occasions this year – and it worries me that he will likely lead the line for us next year. Indeed, by giving Lascelles the captaincy, it has made it harder to drop him. He has lots of time to improve, but will he have the opportunity to grow and learn at the same time as leading Newcastle out in the Premier League? Much like when Shelvey was given the captaincy, we have to be careful we arent’t stunting whatever growth potential Lascelles carries.

Ciaran Clark:

A player of the season candidate. Newcastle were poorer without him, and he should feel pretty secure about his place for next season. His signing was made all the more sweet by the fact that it weakened Villa.

Chancel Mbemba:

There has been murmurings amongst the Toon faithful that bar an addition over the summer, Clark – Mbemba would be the ideal centre back partnership. Mbemba was frozen out for the majority of the season after a couple of lazy performances, but consensus suggests that out of all Newcastle’s defenders, he is equipped with the most potential. Newcastle outlaid considerably for him last year, and he certainly deserves another crack at the PL.

Grant Hanley:

Brought in as a squad player, I actually had higher hopes for Hanley, but he was unable to beat out Lascelles and Clark for a regular position. I think he’s a decent player to have in the squad, and he’ll probably be happy to sit on a Premier League bench, at least for the time being.

Paul Dummett:

The enigma. Few players seem to divide fans more than Dummett. He’s admittedly difficult to watch at times; he is ponderous and hesitant on the ball, and sometimes it just seems that football doesn’t come naturally to him. But it’s hard to look past the fact that every manager he has played for at Newcastle has felt comfortable playing him. And he does have set of (perhaps under-appreciated) attributes. His nervousness on the ball often compels him to whip in a cross first time – and more often than not those crosses are of decent quality. He is undeniably a good defender – something that seems to be a dying art where full backs are concerned. He is the most interesting one for the summer. He will surely be here, but will it be as first choice?

Jesus Gamez:

Another one that didn’t come off, I’d be very surprised if he was here in August.

Massadio Haidara:

His time has surely come and gone.

Achraf Lazaar:

I actually thought Lazaar looked OK in the games he played. Maybe another one who needs bedding in, but we shall see how patient Benitez intends to be.

Midfielders:

Christian Atsu:

Atsu has likely done just enough to earn himself a permanent move. Personally I think he could turn into an excellent player, and I’d like to see him sign on.

Yoan Gouffran:

One of the more remarkable stories of this season, Gouffran resurrected his career and will likely leave this summer remembered as contributor to Newcastle’s successes rather than a flop. But the criticism of Gouffran was always overly harsh. Gouffran was never brought in as an offensive dynamo, and those who demanded such of him were arguably scapegoating. Indeed, given Gouffran cost less than 1m, it’s hard to say that, overall, he hasn’t been a successful buy.

Matt Ritchie:

Not too much to say here. Excellent all season. Superb character. First on the team sheet next season.

Jonjo Shelvey:

Far more effective in the first half of the season, but Shelvey was crucial cog in the Newcastle wheel this season. There are, however, doubts about whether Shelvey can be the guy for Newcastle in the Premier League, and it seems inevitable that central midfield will be addressed in the summer. The problem with Shelvey is that when he plays, he plays as the main guy. He dictates the play, makes long range passes etc. If Newcastle buy somebody similar, could they play together? Or will Shelvey have to accept a place on the bench? And would he accept that? This could be an interesting one to watch.

Jack Colback:

It’s incredible to think this is a guy who earned himself an England call-up a few years ago. What happened? I still think there’s a gear for him to find, but perhaps it needs to be found outside of the North East.

Isaac Hayden:

A player one hopes will get better and better. Developing at Arsenal has stood him in good stead and he has been excellent alongside Shelvey all season. He spends far too much time on the floor, but perhaps that’s also down to his time in North London… Again, there will be question marks about whether he could, or should, make the immediate leap into a PL starting XI, but here’s hoping there’s a bright future for him at St James’.

Mo Diame:

A huge disappointment – Diame failed to live up to the billing. His relaxed style turned too often into laziness, and his offensive output (or lack thereof) just didn’t make up for his lack of energy on the pitch. Given his age, he seems particularly expendable, and Newcastle should hopefully claw back most of the fee they paid.

Siem de Jong:

I’ve always had a soft spot for de Jong. And if he can avoid being poked in the eye, there’s potentially a place for him in this squad. Both Benitez and de Jong himself have made noises about wanting to give his Newcastle career another try, and one thinks that a fully fit de Jong could be useful. But one imagines the leash on this one will be short.

Strikers:

Dwight Gayle:

Obviously one of the players without whom we’d be preparing for Burton (a) once more, Gayle was a stupendous signing by Benitez. There is talk, however, that a transfer to another Championship club could be on the cards, freeing up space for a big money signing. It seems wrong not to give Gayle his chance in the PL if he wants it, but he struggled mightily with injuries towards the end of the season, so there will be a decision here. Either way, he is someone for whom Newcastle fans should be eternally grateful.

Aleksandar Mitrovic:

Surely there’s only so much chest-thumping one player can do before it becomes apparent that he is unable to cut it? A fans favourite of course, but if Benitez doesn’t trust him in the Championship, what hope is there for him next season? I’d be surprised if he was here come August.

Daryl Murphy:

The romantic in me would like to see Murphy given a crack in the Premier League, and chances are he could do a job off the bench when needs be. He may well be the sort of squad player Newcastle need.

Ayoze Perez:

Perhaps like Chancel Mbemba, Perez sees more suited to the Premier League than the Championship. It seems unlikely he’s ever going to score more than 10 – 12 goals in a season, but his talent is worth holding onto, perhaps if/until a big offer comes in.

So that leaves incomings. Without speculating on a possible transfer kitty, I would say that Newcastle need at least 8 players in this coming window. 3 defenders, 4 midfielders and a striker. Newcastle were suspect defensively for much of this season, and if they are to cement their place in the Premier League, right, centre, and left all ought to be improved. There has been talk of Ryan Shawcross as well as a return for Davide Santon. Harry Macguire from Hull is also a name mentioned. Personally, I think Andy Robertson from Hull could also be a shrewd purchase.

In midfield, I still think Newcastle haven’t replaced Yohan Cabaye. I really like the look of Tom Cairney, and Gylfi Sigurdsson could be a spectacular signing, but competition there is likely to be stiff. Talk of Michael Carrick still won’t go away, and I still think that would be a decent move. On the wing, signing Atsu to a permanent deal would be a good start, but Gouffran likely gone, and enduring concerns over the fitness of Rolando Aarons, they will need to strengthen there too. I haven’t seen any names mentioned – other than the outlandish suggestions of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. We’re heading into believe it when you see it territory there.

Up-front, there is talk of going back in for Bas Dost, while Daniel Sturridge continues to be linked. But Newcastle cannot afford to spend big on a player who will spend most of his time in the treatment room, so they must tread very carefully there. Either way, they absolutely need someone with realistic aspirations of a 20 goal season, and Rafa knows this. Expect the biggest transfer outlay to be in the striking department.