According to Mirror, Newcastle United are among the clubs interested in the services of Adam Webster. The Bristol City defender has attracted interest from a host of top clubs across Europe this summer, including Burnley, Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Hence, the Magpies could face stiff competition from their Premier League rivals in pursuit of this talented Championship defender.
Webster’s rapid rise to prominence
After moving to Bristol City in a €4 million move from Ipswich Town last summer, Webster has become a mainstay in the club’s defensive lineup. Indeed, the 24-year-old ended the campaign making 44 appearances in the league, during which he notably scored three goals.
Webster built a formidable partnership with Tomas Kalas (who was on loan from Chelsea) at the heart of Bristol’s four-man backline. And this played a critical role behind the Robins’ eighth-placed finish in the league as they conceded only 53 goals.
He also notched up 3,956 minutes of football across competition – a tally only bettered by the two ever-present central midfielders in Marlon Pack and Josh Brownhill.
What can Webster bring to the table?
Webster is a dogged defender, who excels when it comes to man-marking and employing a disciplined defensive line. The 24-year-old has made 4.3 clearances per game this past season. He is also good at reading the game, having averaged 2.1 interceptions.
But, what makes Webster such a capable defender is his aerial prowess. Indeed, the Bristol City defender is quite strong in the air, mainly due to his tall 1.91m frame that gives a considerable advantage. Hence, it comes as no surprise as to why he has won 6.4 headed duels per game with a success rate of 71%, which ranks among the best in the league.
Furthermore, the ex-Ipswich winger has chipped in with crucial goals, which is a precious trait for any defender.
Should Newcastle United make a move for Webster?
Webster has been one of the finds of the 2018/19 edition of the Championship. And with his consistent performances week in week out, the defender has shown that he is capable of playing at a higher level of football. Therefore, he is a viable target for Newcastle United.
The emergence of Fabian Schar has boosted the Magpies during the second half of the last campaign. But, club captain Jamaal Lascelles has been linked with a move away from St.James’ Park, thus accentuating the need for a new defender. Webster, in that regard, might not be a bad option, especially given the fact that he could be available for a considerably lower fee when compared to other defenders available in the market this summer.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
