Newcastle United must improve the left-back area for the 2023/24 season - according to Opta analysts.
In a summer report, the Opta Analysts, have assessed the needs of each Premier League club and believe that Eddie Howe's defence must seriously consider signing a new left-sided defender. It is an area that has sparked much debate over the summer already with Arsenal's Kieran Tierney the subject of interest.
Let's get one thing very clear before we go any further in this piece, and my own personal opinion is that the left-back slot is Dan Burn's possession after an impressive campaign. If Burn has a solid pre-season then only a harsh critic could begrudge the crowd favourite from Blyth a place in the starting line-up against Aston Villa.
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It could also be argued that a left-back for the Magpies is not a necessity for Howe with Matt Targett fully fit and set to start the summer in an intriguing battle with Burn. Northern Ireland international Jamal Lewis has also started pre-season training with Newcastle but even Howe himself admitted last term his future was not clear.
There is still cover in that area with Javier Manquillo and Matt Ritchie on board, then the options there could be deemed adequate, at least for now.
The Opta team of writers believe that Newcastle are "lopsided" when it comes to their full-backs but do the stats always tell the story? There were times when a Burn clearance into Row Z or a crunching challenge in the middle of a bleak Tyneside winter proved invaluable.
Burn's ability to battle when the chips are down also get the crowd going at times at St James' Park and there's no doubt whatsoever he is one of Howe's dressing room leaders. Based on Howe's appraisals of the ex-Darlington, Brighton and Birmingham City star, it's hard to see him dropping out of contention any time soon.
When looking at the key area Newcastle must improve, the Opta Analyst report read: "While undoubtedly enjoying one of his best seasons as a professional footballer so far, there’s little doubt that Newcastle United could recruit a left-back with more qualities in that position than Dan Burn.
"Burn proved to be a revelation as a makeshift in 2022-23 as the north-east side qualified for the Champions League, but their attacking play from full-back looked lopsided with Kieran Tripper bombing down the right to provide more passes into the final third than any other defender in the Premier League (566). Burn provided just over a third of Trippier’s per 90 average (6.4 vs. 15.2) across the season.
"True, Burn’s aerial dominance in both boxes is a useful weapon for Eddie Howe’s side – especially from Tripper’s pinpoint set-piece delivery, but his role in a squad hunting for the Premier League title should arguably be as backup in central defence, while Matt Targett is the other left-back option and someone who they can improve on."
Since Howe took over he has intelligently channeled any situations in which there is close competition for places to his advantage. Both Jacob Murphy and Sean Longstaff were superb examples of that last season as they refused to sulk and rose to the challenge to play key roles in Newcastle's Champions League qualification campaign.
Whether Howe signs a left-back or not this summer, it looks like he is ready to throw the gauntlet down in a key area of his defensive rearguard.
