Three summer signings crucial to NUFC’s recent form

Newcastle United’s summer signings are stepping up for the club in a big way.

Rafa Benitez and his coaching staff received their plaudits as Newcastle United won three games on the spin in November. With Rafa himself receiving his Premier League Manager of the month trophy, we look at the three summer signings who have been crucial to Newcastle’s upturn in form heading into the busy festive fixture schedule.

Federico Fernandez

Joining the club from Swansea in the summer on transfer deadline day, Fernandez was brought in as cover for the injured Florian Lejeune. Having been thrown into the mix quite early on, Fernandez has now established himself as one of Newcastle’s most committed and in-form defenders. Looking further into Fernandez, his commitment, drive and desire to defend at all costs has endeared himself to all Toon supporters.

Fernandez’s strong organisational skills at the back are evident by his constant shouting at the rest of the back-line to maintain their shape throughout games. His performances against Bournemouth and Burnley really typified the desire in the Newcastle team at the moment, and he has been Newcastle’s most consistent performer all season. Despite being injured himself, it will be very hard to not have him in the team, even with Lejune’s expected return from injury into January.

Ki Sung-yueng

Another arrival from Swansea, albeit on a free transfer, Ki has taken time to find his feet in a Newcastle shirt. Initially unsure in the team alongside Jonjo Shelvey in the centre of the park, during Shelvey’s absence due to injury, Ki has really come into his own. Newcastle moved swiftly over the summer to secure the services of Ki to replace the outgoing Mikel Merino. Despite not being known for his creative flair – as Merino or Shelvey – Ki has stepped into this role recently with aplomb.

His introduction from the bench, and subsequent assist against Watford, really kicked off Newcastle’s season. In the following games, Ki’s attacking contribution cannot be underestimated – considering how reliant Newcastle have been on Shelvey for the last few years – and he has settled nicely alongside Mohamed Diame. Ki will only get better under Bentiez’s tutelage, and he will continue to be crucial into December’s festive fixtures.

Fabian Schar

Fabian Schar joined in the summer after impressing at the World Cup for Switzerland. Arriving for a small fee, but a reasonable reputation, Schar was Newcastle’s hope at having another ball-playing defender. Schar, as with Ki, took time to adapt to Bentiez’s instruction, however, recent performances alongside Fernandez have been terrific. Schar adds a new dimension in defence. He’s committed in his tackling, has shown confidence on the ball and is not afraid to pick a pass.

His performance against Burnley, along with a change of tactics to three central defenders, may have been overshadowed by Ciaran Clark – but his assuredness in defence, along with his strength in the air, really announced his arrival fully. Schar is another player who will only continue to improve under Benitez, and once Newcastle can organise themselves better during set pieces, he will offer Benitez real strength and depth in defence.