Newcastle United could be set for somewhat of a squad overhaul in the summer as they get set for another busy window of incomings. The Magpies spent heavily in January to ensure they had enough quality to remain in the Premier League, a ploy which certainly appears to have paid dividends.
With the backing of their extremely wealthy owners behind them, in the coming years Newcastle will look to go from a club lingering in the bottom half of the table, to one that is consistently challenging for Europe. Under previous owner Mike Ashley, though, investment into the playing squad was minimal.
And if players aren’t coming in, ultimately that means relying on the players that are already there, which is why the bulk of the side that won promotion from the Championship in 2017. Newcastle lost just five members of their first team squad, all of whom were very much on the fringes. So with that in mind, here is a look at how each of them are getting on.
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Andy Carroll
It took Andy Carroll three months to find a new club following his release at St. James’ Park last summer as he joined Championship outfit Reading on a short-term deal. He scored two goals in eight appearances for the Royals but opted against extending his stay there in order to join West Bromwich Albion.
Carroll has found the net just once since his move to the Hawthorns, where he has been reunited with former Newcastle boss Steve Bruce once again.
Henri Saivet
Henri Saivet has not kicked a ball in senior football since his loan spell at Bursaspor in the 2018/19 season. After joining Newcastle from Bordeaux in 2016, Saivet made just eight appearances in the black and white and as a result of his lack of football, remains without a club.
Florian Lejeune
Florian Lejeune’s four-year spell on Tyneside was hampered by injuries as he played on just 46 occasions for the club. He was a reliable performer during the times he was on the field, however unfortunately for the Frenchman, he spent more of his time off it.
Lejeune spent last season on loan at Deportivo Alaves and after a successful season, returned there on a permanent deal in the summer. The 30-year-old has once again been a regular at the Spanish side this season with 21 appearances, however they do currently sit 19th in the table, five points adrift of safety.
Yoshinori Muto
Another player who spent last season on loan in La Liga was Yoshinori Muto as he was at Eibar. That marked the beginning of the end for Muto at St. James’ Park as he was allowed to return to his native Japan alongside Andres Iniesta at Vissel Kobe.
The 29-year-old scored five goals and provided eight assists in the final 14 games of the J-League season. However, just matches into the new season, Muto suffered a medial collateral ligament injury and is now set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Christian Atsu
Christian Atsu has picked up where he left off in his final season as a Magpie as the 30-year-old winger continues to struggle for regular game time. He made only one single EFL Cup appearance in his last year at Newcastle and has played just seven times for new club Al-Raed in the Saudi Professional League.
