2017-18 Newcastle United player review: Matt Ritchie

Matt Ritchie was the top assist man for Newcastle United this season.

In his second season with the club, Matt Ritchie was a vital piece to the Newcastle United attack. The crafty winger led the club in assists and played well enough to keep new signing Jacob Murphy at bay.

2017-18 stats: 35 appearances, five assists, three goals

Contract runs until: June 2021

Roy Emanuel

With talents like Kenedy, Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy in the team, Matt Ritchie’s place in Newcastle’s line-up was not guaranteed last season. However, the Scottish international ensured that Rafa Benitez started him often with hard work and important contributions. His crosses are influential in the attack, and he is a genuine leader amongst his team-mates.

2018-19 outlook: Surefire starter

Durim Halimi

Matt Ritchie was a key player for Newcastle United this season, especially in 2018. The Scottish international did it all for Newcastle from assisting his team-mates to scoring meaningful goals. Ritchie always had a positive influence on the pitch and I expect him to be a starter next season.

2018-19 outlook: Surefire starter

Carson A. Merk

I mentioned during last season that, in my opinion, Ritchie would make a better super substitute than a starter. Every time he joins a match off the bench, he makes an impact. Over 90 minutes, while he ALWAYS works hard, sometimes he’s careless and tries to do too much. Next season, I would like to see Christian Atsu and Jacob Murphy, or Kenedy if he resigns, start and Matt Ritchie come off the bench. I think he can be a massively influential substitute in the second half for Rafa Benitez.

2018-19 outlook: Quality rotation player

Declan Ryan

There have certainly been dips in form for the Scotsman this season, but he delivered some fantastic goals when it mattered most. Benitez will want to see more from Ritchie but what he lacks in flair he more than makes up for with passion and determination, and those qualities have gone down extremely well with the Toon Army. More importantly for Newcastle and Benitez is Ritchie’s versatility, as despite favouring his strong left foot he’s able to play across the midfield and has even filled in at right wing-back this season. Hopefully, we’ll see a little more consistency next season, but Ritchie is undoubtedly one of Newcastle’s best players, and for that reason could be starting in black and white for multiple years to come.

2018-19 outlook: Surefire starter