Talk has already begun about Newcastle United’s possible January business, with players like Bilal El Khannouss and Dion Beljo heavily linked.
Whether you believe those rumours or not, there is no denying that the Magpies do need to do some business if they are to give Matthias Jaissle the best chance of success, not least because most of the current cohort simply aren’t his players.
But it’s easy to say that, and a lot more difficult to actually decipher what it is that Newcastle need to ensure the best position possible for the road ahead. So let’s take a look at exactly what the Magpies should be targeting as the winter window approaches.
A proper goalscorer
First and foremost, Newcastle United need someone who is guaranteed goals.
Will Osula will score you a decent few, but he is suited to a very specific style of play and the Magpies aren’t creating the sort of opportunities that allow him to thrive right now.
That’s mainly because he is being asked to hold up the ball rather than run off the shoulder, often without a lot of support around him, something which the Dane’s game isn’t suited too.
If the Magpies are to get the best out of their forward line, they need a more physical presence, as much as I hate to say it, a profile that mirrors that of Brian Brobbey at Sunderland would be ideal.
That is why Jaissle’s side have been linked with the likes of Beljo, with physical profiles like Afner Ca from the academy also touted to be given a first team chance.
No matter what the decision is on who is either brought in or trusted, it’s safe to say the Magpies need to find someone who can put away chances on a regular basis, as that does feel like one the main things holding Jaissle’s side back right now.
A line-breaking centre-back
Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are both now 34 years old and, while it feels like the former will continue to be trusted by Jaissle as the season progresses, there is no doubt the German could do with a centre-back profile that more closely aligns with what he wants from his side.
While Malick Thiaw feels the most likely to properly step into the line-breaking responsibility that is currently missing from the Magpies’ play, it isn’t necessarily his best strength or natural game.
That leaves the door open for the Magpies to spend some of that left over cash from the summer on a younger, more closely aligned asset who can really impact the build up phase for Newcastle and get them moving through the thirds more readily.
It will sound cliche given we have been linked with him seemingly every single transfer window for the past three seasons, but someone like Giorgio Scalvini would still be a wonderful fit.
A number 10?
It’s easy to sit here and say that Newcastle need a creative number 10 but, as explored the other day, there are still questions over whether Jaissle actually wants one.
Still, there isn’t any denying that a dynamic, technical, intricate forward or attacking midfielder would elevate the current Newcastle squad.
It would both allow the Magpies to retain possession better and also actually create chances when they do get into those forward areas, something that the current players are struggling to do on a regular basis.
If the club were to do this sort of business, it would have to be a very specific profile, one that I’m not sure the likes of El Khannouss who is currently linked quite suffices.
With the way Jaissle uses his 10s it would have to be someone with enough work ethic to contribute in the press and dynamic enough to drift into areas that don’t necessarily lend to picking the ball up in between the lines.
Finding that would be difficult in January, but it does feel like something that should at least be explored given how the season has panned out thus far.
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