Newcastle United should consider making this bold move ahead of the new season.
Newcastle United currently find themselves with their back against the wall in their hunt for new strikers. With Dwight Gayle injured, Yoshinori Muto searching for a new club, and Joelinton in quarantine, Andy Carroll is currently the main man up top.
Carroll has been in fine form this preseason with two goals in two friendlies against Crewe Alexandra and Barnsley. The quality of the competition in preseason is far from great, but fans are happy to see him scoring goals again.
Newcastle United have been linked with multiple attacking players as of late, and the sooner one walks through the doors the better things will be for Steve Bruce’s squad.
Until then, though, here is one proposition for Bruce to consider, and, yes, it is quite bold: shift Jacob Murphy from out wide to the striker position.
I know what some of you are thinking, “you want to take a player who has been loaned to the Championship twice and give him a chance up top? You’re crazy!” Yes, but hear me out.
The idea arose primarily because of his athleticism, and his desire to show how well he has developed as a player after two loan spells away from the top flight.
Murphy is one of the fastest players in the Premier League, and Newcastle United could utilize those quick feet up the middle in the final third.
Moreover, he understand a winger’s game plan, and this would enable him to get great looks at goal as he would know where to expect the ball. This is an area in which Joelinton failed as the Brazilian hardly set up shop in the box last term.
With nine goals scored last season, Murphy’s confidence in front of goal has certainly grown. In fact, with four assists to his name as well, Murphy was directly involved in 22% of Sheffield Wednesday’s goals during the 2019-20 campaign.
Aside from Gayle, Newcastle United literally got nothing out of their strikers last season, so why not give the dynamic winger a chance to show what he is capable of as a striker?
He lacks the experience and overall talent to lead the front line, but he is not a bad option for Bruce to move around across the front line this season.
Feel free to let me know how ridiculous, or intriguing, this tactical proposal is in the comments section below!