Alexander Isak – CaughtOffside

29-year-old of interest to Newcastle as they eye striker competition

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 17:55:07 +0000

If Newcastle genuinely want to be considered a force in the Premier League, then they need to make sure that they’re not ‘one season wonders’ and drift away after a brilliant 2022/23.

They were close to breaking their silverware hoodoo but were beaten in the Carabao Cup final by Manchester United, the team that they recently knocked out in this season’s competition.

Alongside Liverpool, the Magpies have to be one of the favourites for the trophy, however, injuries are beginning to bite and affecting their Champions League chances and ability to move up the table.

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At the time of writing, ahead of the Premier League fixture against Chelsea this weekend, Newcastle find themselves in seventh position, and eight points off leaders, Man City.

However, as Premier Injuries report, they also currently have 15 players out of action, which is the most in the English top-flight.

To that end, it’s understandable why they might be looking for reinforcements in the January window, and they should be doing so with one eye on Financial Fair Play.

Newcastle @NUFC is interested in Marvin Ducksch (29). The striker has contract at @werderbremen til 2026 @SPORTBILD

— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) November 22, 2023

SportBILD’s senior reporter and CaughtOffside columnist, Christian Falk, has noted the Magpies interest in Werder Bremen’s Marvin Ducksch.

It isn’t clear how much the striker will cost, though with five goals and three assists in 10 Bundesliga matches, per WhoScored, Newcastle would do well to not allow the player to slip through their fingers.

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PIF planning new signing as Howe has trust issues with expensive Newcastle ace

Darren Looney — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:34:40 +0000

Newcastle will enter the transfer market for a new striker in 2024 as the Magpies can’t trust Alexander Isak to stay fit.

The Tyneside club paid a massive £63m for the Swedish star last summer and the striker has shown how valuable he can be to Eddie Howe on numerous occasions.

However, Isak has struggled with injuries and has missed six games already this season. Howe’s problems are worse given that Callum Wilson is also unavailable and it has made him think about that position of the pitch long-term.

According to journalist Dean Jones, Newcastle don’t trust Isak’s ability to stay fit anymore and are now looking into the idea of signing a striker during the January transfer window.

Jones told the Chasing Green Arrows Podcast: “I know there are concerns at Newcastle at the moment about whether they need to sign a new forward in January because of Isak and Wilson. They can’t be undone by this, it would be gutting for them if they didn’t have another option.

“They really will contemplate going after another attacking option, it will probably be a versatile one that can play wide as well, Isak is a great option to go wide as well, but I don’t think they trust Isak to stay fit between now and the end of the season which is probably wise.”

Newcastle preparing a bid for Real Madrid target

Jake Staniland — Sun, 19 Nov 2023 09:48:28 +0000

Newcastle are reportedly set to make a bid for Santos star Marcos Leonardo, who has caught the attention of European giants such as Real Madrid and Roma.

Despite interest from these clubs, the Magpies are counting on the appeal of consistent playing time in the Premier League to secure the forward.

Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle have had a decent start to the season, winning six of their first 12 matches and demonstrating resilience in the Champions League. However, injuries have posed a significant challenge for them, prompting the club’s hierarchy to look to the January transfer window to strengthen their squad.

The Express reports that 20-year-old Brazilian prospect Marcos Leonardo is on their radar, and preparations for an offer are underway.

Leonardo has bagged 13 goals in 27 Brasiliero Seria A starts in 2023, he also managed 13 goals in the previous campaign.

The Magpies already have Brazilian talents in their ranks with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. This duo can help mentor the Brazilian youngster if he does indeed make a move to St James’ Park in the January transfer window.

As previously reported, Callum Wilson could be facing several weeks on the sideline, with Alexander Isak presumed to be ready to go again after the international break.

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Newcastle United facing significant injury setbacks ahead of busy period

Jake Staniland — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 20:02:57 +0000

Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson and Sven Botman are facing significant setbacks in their injury recoveries.

Wilson, who sustained a hamstring injury during the Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund on November 7, missed subsequent matches, withdrew from the England squad, and is now set for an extended period on the sidelines.

According to The Telegraph, Wilson is expected to be out for the next six weeks, delaying his return to first-team action until the end of December.

In addition, there are mounting concerns about the fitness of Dutch centre-back Botman.

Newcastle are apprehensive that Botman may need surgery to address a troublesome knee injury, further complicating the defensive situation for the club.

Sven Botman is expected to be out of action for some time

Newcastle United’s squad at full stretch for visit to AFC Bournemouth

Jake Staniland — Fri, 10 Nov 2023 19:53:29 +0000

Eddie Howe’s team delivered a disappointing performance, suffering a significant 2-0 defeat in Germany against Borussia Dortmund. The result and performance highlighted their ongoing injury crisis.

That being said, the match served as a stark reminder of how much Newcastle United must progress to become a well-rounded and competitive side in the Champions League, emphasising the need for greater squad depth.

Despite these challenges, there’s potential for them to become a formidable force in European football with additional skill and tactics.

Howe’s post-game comments underlined his commitment to improvement without without making excuses. However, with only 13 senior outfield players and Callum Wilson’s early departure due to a hamstring issue, the team is severely constrained in realising its potential in this crucial season for the Toon Army.

The squad’s lack of depth is glaring, and the forthcoming Premier League ruling on squad additions from clubs in Saudi Arabia could impact their plans for the January transfer window. Newcastle were reportedly preparing for the arrival of Ruben Neves on loan from Al-Hilal, but these plans could be scuppered.

Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Matt Targett, Javier Manquillo, Elliot Anderson are all set to miss the Magpies trip to Bournemouth on Saturday evening. Along with Sandro Tonali (long-term suspension) and Bruno Guimaraes who has picked up a match ban due to picking up five yellow cards.

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Newcastle likely to be without nine players for PSG test

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 13:38:05 +0000

The size of the task awaiting Newcastle United in the Champions League has been put into perspective with the sheer size of their growing injury list.

With so much more pressure and at least six extra matches against top-tier European teams when compared to last season, it was obvious that any injuries and suspensions that may arise were going to hurt the Magpies.

Another loss to Borussia Dortmund has made their task even harder given that Eddie Howe’s side have got to win both of their remaining games to given themselves any chance of qualification to the knockout stages, and even then they will be relying on other results going their way.

According to Premier Injuries, their current injury troubles – they have 11 players out – will only be slightly reduced by the time of the PSG match.

Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak are both expected to be back for the Chelsea game the previous weekend, however, the news isn’t so good for nine other players.

Sven Botman isn’t due back until December 10, with Elliot Anderson the next best case scenario of a Boxing Day return.

Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy aren’t due back until various dates in January, whilst Sandro Tonali is banned until next August.

Callum Wilson, Javier Manquillo and Matt Targett don’t even have a return date as yet, so if the Magpies were to tumble out of Europe, the blame can’t be attached to Howe or his backroom staff, because that’s an unprecedented injury list at one of the most crucial times of the season.

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14 goals in 8 games: Newcastle could sign on fire striker for only €20m

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 08:31:35 +0000

With Callum Wilson not getting any younger, the chance to buy European football’s most deadly marksmen for a snip shouldn’t really be passed up by Newcastle United.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) clearly have a nose for good business whilst Magpies manager, Eddie Howe, has shown his nous and acumen from a footballing perspective.

To that end, when a bargain presents itself the club need to be in the conversation and, ideally, at the front of the queue.

In just eight Bundesliga matches this season, VfB Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy has plundered an incredible 14 goals according to WhoScored.

On those stats alone it would make him a hugely attractive proposition for any club willing to improve their front line, and it’s certainly enough to have Europe’s finest sitting up and taking notice.

As Sky Germany note, the 27-year-old could move on from his current employers for just €20m/£17.4m in the summer. Perhaps even more incredibly, he is available for slightly less in January.

There can rarely have been a market opportunity like it, and given that Newcastle are acutely aware that they have to get around Financial Fair Play, a move for Guirassy could make perfect sense in 2024.

Whether Howe can and does see the player as part of the first-team squad is an unknown at present, though he’d clearly be foolish if he didn’t at least explore the option in the first instance.

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Pundits clash on live radio show over Newcastle United striker

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 12:52:05 +0000

The great thing about football is that it remains a game of opinions, and one pundit couldn’t believe it when another didn’t choose a Newcastle United striker for his team of the week.

When awards are given out for man of the match and so forth, it’s often easy to agree with the selection as one or two players will have been head and shoulders above their colleagues.

Some might even have scored a goal or two to cement their performance as being the best on the day.

Against West Ham at the weekend, Alexander Isak was on fire. The striker bagged a brace and was a post’s width away from getting a well-deserved hat-trick.

It was undoubtedly one of the performances of the weekend, but talkSPORT’s Andy Townsend decided against picking him for his weekly ‘Monday morning five-a-side team.’

Instead, Townsend erred between Liverpool’s Mo Salah and Fulham’s Willian, eventually plumping for the Egyptian King.

“You are winding me up!” radio colleague, Ally McCoist, said on talkSPORT at the time.

Comically, McCoist then went on to suggest that Townsend was lucky there was only a minute left of the show as the decision not to include Isak had clearly irked him and he wanted to have an argument with him for the following five to 10 minutes.

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Newcastle player ratings: Isak shines as Newcastle drop points

Connor Holden — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 16:00:46 +0000

After going 1-0 down early on, Newcastle managed to fight back to gain a 2-1 lead. However a late goal from West Ham in the 89th minute secured a draw for the Hammers, and meant Newcastle dropped two points.

West Ham took the lead through Tomas Soucek in the 8th minute, and went in at halftime 1-0 up. However a quickfire double from Alexander Isak in the 57th and 62nd minute fired Newcastle into the lead. Looking like they was going to take all three points, they had it snatched from under their noses in the 89th minute when Mohammed Kudus scored to equalise for West Ham and secure a point.

Read on for our Newcastle player ratings, and who stood out for the Magpies…

Nick Pope – 5 – Pope only made one save, but did have two punches and three high claims. He made a big error for the first West Ham goal though, caught out in no mans land for Emerson Palmieri to take it round him and pass it to Tomas Soucek for an easy tap in.

Dan Burn – 7 – Burn played well and kept Jarrod Bowen quiet down the flank, making three clearances and one interception. Burn also made one key pass from left back and created one big chances for Newcastle which isn’t usually his forte.

Fabian Schar – 7 – Schar did his job defensively, making a whopping nine clearances along with one tackle and one interception. Schar also attempted 10 long balls, four of which were successful.

Jamaal Lascelles – 7 – Lascelles also contributed positively in defence, making three clearances, two tackles and winning six out of his nine aerial duels. He also contributed in possession with 64 successful passes out of 74 attempted, giving him an 85% passing accuracy.

Kieran Trippier – 8 – Trippier really added attacking threat down the right for Newcastle, getting his assist for Isak’s second goal. Trippier made five key passes, created one big chance and made eight accurate long passes out of 10 attempted.

Sandro Tonali – 6 – Tonali didn’t have his best game, barely getting involved physically in the middle of the park, having zero aerial duels won or attempted, as well as only having one defensive action in the whole game (one tackle). Didn’t impose himself in this one.

Bruno Guimaraes – 6 – Was slightly more involved in central duels than Tonali with two defensive actions and one aerial duel attempted, but was a similar story, didn’t impost himself on the game and could have received two yellows in the first half.

Sean Longstaff – 5 – Longstaff also struggled alongside the other midfielders, having no defensive actions made, no aerial duels attempted, and picked up a yellow card. Also had the least touches and passes made for Newcastle in midfield.

Elliot Anderson – 6.5- Anderson played slightly further forward than he usually does for the Magpies, getting two shots off (both off target) and completing two out of two dribbles. He also made one key pass.

Alexander Isak – 8.5 – Scored the important goals and took them well. Got Newcastle back in the game when they needed it, and could’ve had a hatrick. Made great runs in behind all afternoon and caused West Ham problems.

Miguel Almiron – 6 – Not a very productive game for Almiron, only taking the one shot off target, and only attempting one cross which was unsuccessful. He was booked in the second half too, so was not a performance to remember.

Subs: Jacob Murphy 5, Callum Wilson 4, Matt Targett N/A.

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Shearer spotted 24-year-old Newcastle man going mad teammates vs. West Ham

Magnus Eriksen — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 11:57:52 +0000

Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has commented on a slightly concerning performance by the Magpies in their frustrating 2-2 draw with West Ham on Sunday.

Having enjoyed a famous win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in midweek, Newcastle weren’t quite at their best in their trip to the London Stadium.

Shearer feels Alexander Isak showed his frustration at one point, as things were going so badly for Newcastle.

“It was a really slow start in the first-half, they never got going at all,” Shearer said.

“There was no intensity, there was no support, no energy, no press.