OPINION
It was a super frustrating summer for Newcastle United supporters after watching their club lose a bunch of key players as well as popular manager Rafa Benitez.
However despite the slow start, the Magpies finally started to bring in new faces towards the end of the transfer window and eventually having a net spend throughout the summer of £25.7million [Shields Gazette].
Andy Carroll is the only summer signing who is yet to play for Steve Bruce’s side since he joined on a free transfer on deadline day but all of the other additions have started to feature regularly in the side.
Here, Nothing But Newcastle rates how the new signings have fared in their first few appearances as Newcastle players:
Joelinton – 6/10
It has been a mixed start to life in a Newcastle shirt for Joelinton. Since his club-record switch from Hoffenheim for £40million, the Brazilian striker has scored one goal, which came in the 1-0 win against Tottenham, missed an absolute sitter against Norwich and has shown some good all-round forward play. Graeme Souness’ first impressions of Joelinton were that he was an “old-fashioned number nine” who is a “handful” for defenders. According to stats by WhoScored, Joelinton has won, on average, 3.3 aerial duels per league match, fired 2.3 shots at goal, made one key pass and has completed 87 per cent of his passes. He is looking like a complete forward who can be a real focal point for the Newcastle attack but he needs to start scoring more goals once Premier League action resumes after the international break.
Allan Saint-Maximin – 5/10
Saint-Maximin’s start to life as a Newcastle player was impressive when he came off the bench against Arsenal and caused quite a few problems for defenders. The 22-year-old has barely had an opportunity to shine since then though as injury has hampered his arrival at St James’ Park. Saint-Maximin started against Tottenham but lasted just 17 minutes before he was forced off with a hamstring injury. The French winger has shown flashes of quality but his injury issues have to be concerning.
Jetro Willems – 4/10
Signed on a loan-to-buy deal from Frankfurt, the opening appearances of Willems’ career as a Newcastle player have been comical, to say the least. The 25-year-old’s introduction off the bench against Arsenal was a joke. It was perhaps Bruce’s fault for not communicating as well with Willems as he should have, but the Dutchman spent several minutes not knowing where to play before he was eventually moved to the left-back position and made an error that led to a goal. Willems then embarrassed himself with a pathetic dive against Leicester in the Carabao Cup but redeemed himself slightly with a strong showing against Watford at the weekend. Willems is the one summer signing who needs to prove himself after such a poor start.
Andy Carroll – N/A
Carroll is yet to make his second Newcastle debut but the former West Ham striker might start to become more likely to feature after the international break.
Emil Krafth – 6/10
Not many Newcastle fans would have heard of Krafth before he joined them from Amiens in the summer but the Swedish right-back has had a few decent performances for the club since then and is starting to look as though he could be a bargain addition to this squad. The 25-year-old has started all of the last four matches in all competitions and while he – like almost every Newcastle player – had a shocker against Norwich, he was superb in the win at Tottenham and solid once more in the 1-1 draw against Watford on Saturday. Krafth is someone who you can see improving as the season goes on.
