Newcastle United fans remain excited yet apprehensive at the same time as they start their Premier League season after a gap of one year. While excitement is quite obvious, it is their fear that will concern Rafael Benitez too. The Mags have everything to lose this year and given the underwhelming transfer period they have just experienced, they have sufficient reasons to expect something like that.
Just how tough has the transfer window become for the lower clubs in the Premier League, even with the huge money they earn in England is exemplified from Newcastle’s transfer season this summer. Despite having a high stature and a Champions League winning coach at the helm, the Toon army could hardly manage to land their preferred targets. They host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday expecting to get a taste of the real challenge right from the start.
Strength
Like any newly promoted sides, the defence would be Newcastle United’s biggest strength surely. For the simple reason that it is easier to defend in numbers. Given the experienced manager that Benitez is, he wouldn’t want a slow start to the league at any cost and would prevent losing as his primary objective.
The arrival of Florian Lejeune from SD Eibar does provide an upgrade on the young back line that he has. Last season saw young centre-halves like Michael Keane, Harry Maguire and Ben Gibson breaking into the limelight with Burnley, Hull City and Middlesbrough respectively. Two of them even made an upgrade this summer and the likes of Jamaat Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett would hope this would be their season.
Weakness
Attack remains Newcastle United’s weakest suit by all means. Benitez, more than anyone would know the difference in level between the Championship and the Premier League. The likes of Dwight Gayle, Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic have been terrific in the second-tier, but are unlikely to make the cut in the most competitive league in the world.
While Gayle has the experience of it, Benitez would hope the others remain fearless and go out with all the confidence in the world. His desperation to sign a forward this summer is a clear sign of that concern.
Key Players
Newcastle have some impressive midfielders at their disposal in Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden, Mohamed Diame and Mikel Merino, who have the quality to produce results at the top level. And Benitez would bank on them heavily to make things happen.
Expectations
Nothing surprising is expected from the Magpies this season but a topsy-turvy ride as they would fall and learn from their mistakes and move on from one game to other. Given the experienced manager Benitez is, we expect them to survive the competition.
