After a somewhat mixed start to the season, the Newcastle United players have shown great form throughout the festive period.
This has left us sitting pretty at 5th in the Premier League table, whilst also being on the verge of potentially a second cup final within three seasons.
It is only recently that this NUFC side has consistently displayed the quality we all know the squad to be capable of.
Eddie Howe’s team playing football reminiscent of the brilliance we saw the season before last.
Let’s have a look at the five Newcastle United players who have been arguably our strongest, in what has overall been a stellar first half to the season.
Number 5 – Bruno Guimaraes
He may have taken a little time to settle into his newly bestowed captaincy but Bruno has certainly went on to prove why he was so worthy of the role. Particularly shining in big games, Bruno’s game management skills are second to none in the Premier League, his ability to earn fouls and run down the clock being one of his most vital and often underappreciated skills. Often providing the assist to the assist, his passing ability has become far clearer now that he has been given more creative freedom in the number 8 role.
Number 4 – Joelinton
Joelinton has often been a standout in some of our poorer performances, with his drive and grit standing out at the worst of times. His physical presence is unmatched anywhere else on the pitch and that presence has an incredible ability to get under the skin of opposition players and fans alike. Although his temper still needs to be trained, with unnecessary yellow cards yet to be whittled out of his game, he’s established himself as a vital and versatile name that is never absent from our first 11 when available.
Number 3 – Dan Burn
Burn has certainly quietened a lot of his critics so far this campaign, yet it still seems as if his strong performances are going somewhat under the radar. Following a frustrating campaign last season, in which it became rather clear he no longer possessed the pace for full back, his return to the centre of defence has brought him back to his best. Consistently composed in defence and clearly playing with some revived confidence, he has surprisingly outshone Schar at the back so far this campaign, looking set to displace the Swiss international as Botman is returned to the first 11.
Number 2 – Lewis Hall
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t significantly doubting the signing of Lewis Hall last season, as were many others in the fanbase. Eddie’s reluctance to play him over a clearly out of form Dan Burn at left-back was concerning to say the least, especially given Hall was a fully fit member of an incredibly weakened squad.
All doubts as to why we signed him have now been completely erased, however, as he has shown himself to be an incredible prospect and growing by the game. He has easily been our best performer in the back line, looking like he gained a decade of experience overnight as he rightfully gained a spot in the England squad. Given how fast he’s developing, along with England’s lack of depth at left-back, I would now genuinely be shocked if he isn’t starting come the 2026 World Cup.
Number 1 – Alexander Isak
I have supported Newcastle United for 16 years and in that time I do not think I have seen another player as great as Alexander Isak, wearing a black and white shirt. Sometimes, I truly question how he is still here, given that he is the first undeniably world class player I have ever seen play for my club. Even amongst our ever-growing list of truly quality players, Isak stands out as the crown jewel of our project to become one of Europe’s elites.
His goalscoring stats are fantastic enough, in and of themselves, but they do not do justice to the technical ability he provides. Far from a poacher, Isak makes half of his goals borderline on his own, as well as creating opportunities for those around him, in a way modern strikers rarely do. Those who compare him to Thierry Henry are hardly jumping the gun and if we manage to build a team of his own calibre around him, he may retire with a similar legacy to the man he is often compared to.
Honourable mentions
A couple of honourable mentions – Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.
Now that Tonali is a regular in the first team, he has proven exactly why we signed him, displaying his ability as a beacon of class and quality in our midfield and growing by the game. It seems everything has finally clicked, his role at the base of our midfield being a key component in our return to top form. However, Eddie’s original reluctance to use him consistently following his return, leaves him just shy of a place in the list at the halfway point of the season.
As for Anthony Gordon, he has still shown some true glimpses of the borderline world class quality he displayed last season, however, he has not displayed that ability as consistently as he had last season. On his day, there isn’t a better winger in the league and he is returning to his very best on our current winning streak. If he keeps up his current form, he will end the season with similarly miraculous stats as he did the last.
Oden Hudson
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