Newcastle United: 5 things we learned from the 2017/18 season

4 of 6

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 16: Mikel Merino of Newcastle United tackles Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on December 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

3. More Depth in Midfield

One key observation from the 2017/18 campaign was that Newcastle lacked sufficient depth in midfield. Just because a club’s roster lists several midfielders does not mean they have depth in their squad. A club has depth when players on the bench are capable of maintaining the quality of players they are replacing.

Some Newcastle youngsters on the bench lacked proper football intelligence on the pitch and some had issues with their confidence. Two primary examples are Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino. Starting with Hayden, the youngster was too inconsistent this season largely because he struggled with making decisions.

Hayden struggled in understanding when to stay put and when to attack. He is definitely worthy of playing for Newcastle, but he needs to improve some of his fundamental tactics. Mikel Merino, on the other hand, displayed top quality in the first two months of Premier League action. Newcastle fans thought they stole a brilliant midfielder from Borussia Dortmund.

However, that admiration did not last long as injuries and low confidence impacted the Spaniard’s form. This drop in form opened the door for Mohamed Diame and the Senegalese midfielder closed it on his way in. Merino is more talented than Diame, but Diame’s confidence enables him to take control of midfield alongside Jonjo Shelvey.

The bald duo in the middle cannot do everything on their own every week next season. The Premier League is long, hard-fought season with 38 matches and Benitez must buy midfielders who can adequately fill the voids of fatigue and injury.