What To Expect From Newcastle United’s New Signings
By Bryan Nelson
![](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/17f24e807d6d439a684afcfbda0b5188aa2b8c019fce24f72c44c0d9ba65d96a.jpg)
The season is almost here. It’s tomorrow for some teams, and it’s Sunday for others. For us Newcastle United fans, we must wait until Sunday to come out and cheer on the Magpies. But while we wait, let’s sit down, and see what we can expect from the new signings that Newcastle United made over this ongoing summer transfer window.
More from Editorials
- Can Newcastle United repeat the success of the 2022-23 season?
- NUFC midfielder called up to the Brazil National Team
- Newcastle vs. Manchester United: what should you expect?
- Allan Saint-Maximin: A struggle for consistent play
- Newcastle United’s starting lineup for the rest of the season
Georginio Wijnaldum:
He’s a strong player, who is fast, and is a control freak with the ball (and I mean that in a good way). He possession is spot on, and he’s quite the playmaker as well, just the kind of player we need to dish the ball to Mitrovic. He’s one of many Dutch players on Tyneside playing for Newcastle, as it looks like the club may be turning their attention to the Dutch market in transfer periods to come.
Wijnaldum really did shine throughout preseason, and while I may not have given him a starting position in the match against Southampton on Sunday, that doesn’t mean he won’t be ready to come on for Siem de Jong, or Remy Cabella. And my predictions could be wrong, and he may be starting. He had a great career at his Eredivisie club PSV, and after seeing him in training and preseason matches, I think Wijnaldum may very soon be the best midfielder Newcastle United has on the pitch.
Chancel Mbemba:
Is it too soon to start Mbemba following his lengthy and drawn out attempt to get into the United Kingdom and sign for Newcastle? Possibly. But he was on my list of starters for Sunday’s match anyway. Mbemba only got a chance to come out in the last preseason game for Newcastle United in their loss against Borussia Monchengladbach at St. James Park. McClaren has even stated that due to Mbemba’s lack of fitness training over the past week during his attempts to get his visa, he may not start on Sunday. With that being said, what can we expect from him during this season?
Mbemba has proven himself as a defender for Belgium’s top club, Anderlecht, but the Premier League is a different kind of football animal. The Premier League requires top focus, and a disciplined defender to make the right tackles at the right time, and knowing when to back off from an attacking forward to give him room and read his movements. It’s not easy, and it’s one of the hardest things in football. We can expect Mbemba to bring a certain focus and discipline to Newcastle United that the club has lacked with previous defenders such as Coloccini and Mike Williamson. Once Coloccini is healthy, he could also learn a lot from Colo who has more discipline than he let on last season.
Mbemba will be a breath of fresh air to a Newcastle United defense that has struggled to do its job.
Aleksandar Mitrovic:
More from Newcastle Toons
- AC Milan predicted lineup vs Newcastle United – UEFA Champion League 2023/24
- “What a player” Arsenal and Real Madrid stars hype up this Newcastle ace
- Newcastle United 1-0 Brentford: 3 Catalyst Players Who Were Key To The Result
- Newcastle United 1-0 Brentford: 3 things Eddie Howe learned from the match
- Newcastle player ratings vs Brentford: Harvey Barnes impresses
We can expect him to score. Or can we? That’s a major question to ask. Like Mbemba, Newcastle United has not really had a chance to see Mitrovic in action throughout preseason. He had a chance to play in a couple games, but he was noted in the same conversation that McClaren had about Mbemba, and he may not start Sunday, either. Again, I placed him on my list of starters with a different formation that Newcastle United typically plays, with him playing alongside Papiss Cisse. I may be wrong, and I’ll accept that.
Should Cisse fail to impress in our first couple of games, expect Mitrovic to quickly take the reins as the club’s no.1 striker. I expect Mitrovic to bring a certain energy that Newcastle United fans haven’t really gotten a chance to see in recent years. He’s a confident striker and knows he has the ability to score. I expect that confidence to really help him in his first game for Newcastle in the Premier League.
Fans can expect Mitrovic to quickly rise through the ranks of Newcastle United, and he’ll quickly become a fan favorite. His energy, personality, and his natural ability to score goals makes him a perfect fit at Tyneside. His knowledge of Newcastle United as well separates him from the typical signing. He knows exactly what he’s in right now, and I think he’s one of the most dedicated signings Newcastle has gotten in years.