Newcastle United approached this season with a transfer window that spoke volumes about the direction Eddie Howe wants to take his side.
The long pursuit of a striker was one of the defining sagas of the summer.
Newcastle explored deals for Hugo Ekitike, João Pedro, and Benjamin Šeško without success, while their admiration for Jørgen Strand Larsen and Yoane Wissa was well documented.
Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade arrived for £69m, while Wissa eventually did get his Tyneside move for £55m.
Aaron Ramsdale, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga also joined the squad, each reflecting Howe’s growing emphasis on technical security and ball progression across the pitch.
That shift in philosophy has already been evident, though results suggest it remains a work in progress. Newcastle opened the campaign with a 0-0 draw against Aston Villa in which they were the better side but could not convert dominance into goals.
A week later they fell 3-2 at home to Liverpool, conceding in the 100th minute to a dramatic Rio Ngumoha strike.
A second goalless draw, this time away at Leeds, extended the wait for a first win. It finally came with a 1-0 success over Wolves before their Champions League return against Barcelona ended in a 2-1 defeat.
That match highlighted both the potential and the vulnerabilities of this Newcastle team.
While they held their own for spells, Barcelona’s midfield bypassed their press too easily, exposing limitations in central areas.
Joelinton’s place is under threat
Few players better embody Newcastle’s revival than Joelinton.
Written off during his time as an underwhelming striker, the Brazilian was reinvented as a midfielder and quickly became a symbol of Howe’s ability to adapt and inspire.
Now 29, he has made 225 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 29 goals and assisting 21.
A Brazilian international, Joelinton brings power, energy, and physicality to the centre of the park. But Newcastle’s evolving style of play is not built solely on intensity.
Howe’s side are seeking to control possession, and it is here that Joelinton begins to look less secure.
While he remains a destructive presence, his passing numbers highlight the challenge he faces.
Attempted Passes per 90
39.2
Completed Passes per 90
32.4
Total Passing Distance per 90
458.6
Progressive Passing Distance per 90
127.2
Source: FBRef
He ranks only in the 46th percentile among midfielders for pass completion at 83.1%, and also in the 46th percentile for progressive passes with 4.42 per 90.
Against Barcelona, these shortcomings were exposed as Newcastle’s midfield was often bypassed.
Where Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali are comfortable recycling possession under pressure, Joelinton is not as consistent in tight areas.
His role has always been about breaking up play and driving forward, but as Newcastle move toward a more sustained possession approach, Howe may look for something different.
Jacob Ramsey’s arrival is the clearest signal of this.
The England Under-21 midfielder has been praised for his dynamism and ability to carry the ball through midfield, but also for his composure when playing out from the back.
Ramsey is not simply competition for Joelinton; he represents a potential long-term replacement.
That does not mean Joelinton will suddenly vanish from the picture.
His presence remains vital in certain fixtures, particularly those that demand physical duels and defensive resilience.
Yet Newcastle’s attempt to evolve into a possession-based force may gradually squeeze him out of the starting XI.
Why Malick Thiaw is ready to replace Schär
In defence, a similar story may be about to unfold.
Fabian Schär has been one of Newcastle’s most reliable performers since joining from Deportivo La Coruña for £3m in 2018, described as a “machine” by journalist Jordan Cronin.
A composed ball-playing centre-back, he has racked up 235 appearances and contributed 21 goals, his technique and distribution making him an ideal fit for Howe’s early tenure.
Yet at 33, the Swiss defender is entering the twilight of his career. Against Barcelona, he looked stretched and his withdrawal through injury only added to the sense that change is coming.
That change may arrive in the form of Malick Thiaw.
Signed from AC Milan for £30m, the 24-year-old Germany international is built for the style Howe is now pursuing.
When introduced against Barcelona, he immediately demonstrated his qualities: calm under pressure, comfortable receiving in tight spaces, and confident enough to turn away from markers.
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His numbers emphasise that profile.
Thiaw sits in the 95th percentile for pass completion among centre-backs with an accuracy of 93.2%. He also ranks in the 85th percentile for progressive passes at 4.86 per 90.
His athleticism also gives him an edge in recovery situations, an attribute that could prove vital against faster, more direct opponents.
It is no coincidence that comparisons have been made to Ibrahima Konaté and Micky van de Ven. Like those defenders, Thiaw is equally comfortable defending space in behind as he is stepping forward to engage high up the pitch.
This versatility makes him the prototype of the modern possession-based centre-back.
With Schär sidelined, Bournemouth away looks set to provide Thiaw with his first Newcastle start.
If he translates his statistical promise into consistent performances, Howe may decide that the future is now.
Much like Joelinton in midfield, Schär’s experience and leadership will not be dismissed lightly, but Newcastle’s tactical evolution is ushering in a new era.
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