Newcastle could repeat Botman blinder with move for £25m “future legend”

Newcastle United have not received throughout any of their previous 4 Premier League matches, and Eddie Howe can be properly conscious that enhancements are wanted because the winter interval approaches.

The aim is to reclaim a spot within the Champions League. Newcastle exceeded expectations in 2022/23, beating off competitors from the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea to deservedly report a top-four end, however damning accidents final season pulled the membership away from prominence.

Although the ninth-place Magpies have grow to be goal-shy this season, forming the crux of their points, they’ve nonetheless been sturdy in defence, with the eight targets conceded from as many Premier League matches bettered solely by Nottingham Forest (six) and table-topping Liverpool (three).

Even so, with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon but to hit their stride this 12 months, there’s hope that the Midas contact can be rediscovered. Albeit, creativity’s at a low level, with simply 14 large probabilities created leaving them thirteenth in that chart. A stark drop-off from final 12 months.

It is superb what one participant can do to a crew, re-energising and restoring the verve. Sven Botman may not be a striker, however his absence is being keenly felt at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle are lacking Sven Botman

Howe has at all times believed that Botman can grow to be one of many trendy recreation’s nice centre-backs. Newcastle signed the Netherlands native from Lille in a deal value £35m in July 2022, and he performed a elementary position in skyrocketing towards the Champions League.

His muscular body and loose-limbed method to defending spoke of an athleticism that set him other than different defenders, and certainly this was discernible from the offing with the Toon, for he supplied one thing totally different to each Fabian Schar and the lately recruited Dan Burn.

It undoubtedly paid off. Not simply Champions League qualifiers that 12 months, Newcastle additionally completed the time period with the joint-best defence within the division, alongside title winners Manchester Metropolis.

Botman’s composure and distribution additionally make him one of many most interesting centre-halves within the Premier League, not least due to his crisp ball-playing, management and intelligence on the sphere.

Sadly, this season and final have offered towering hurdles for the 24-year-old, having missed October via to December in 2023/24 as a result of a knee harm earlier than rupturing his ACL in March, a setback that he has not but recovered from.

Newcastle have to signal a brand new defender to assist bolster their backline, so why not look to repeat the signing that gave them the best within the Premier League?

Howe desires to signal his subsequent Sven Botman

Newcastle have dipped into the French switch pool on a number of events, and so they may very well be set to return, having recognized RC Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov.

In keeping with French sources – as reported over the weekend – the Uzbekistan worldwide, aged 20, has attracted the Magpies’ consideration following his wonderful performances in Ligue 1, with Everton additionally within the race.

Valued at €30m (£25m), he would not come low cost, however Khusanov has been described as a “monster” by his membership teammates and is perhaps one to snap up earlier than the bigger sharks begin circling.

How Abdukodir Khusanov would slot in at Newcastle

Botman was introduced in from a French membership when he was nonetheless solely breaking away from the fledgling section of his profession, and now Howe can repeat his trick by signing Khusanov, who has cemented his beginning presence after that includes 11 instances for the outfit final 12 months.

Having been described as a “beast” by soccer author Matt Spiro a number of years in the past, Botman clearly made a big affect all through his time in France. Newcastle should now emulate their profitable signing by touchdown Khusanov, with the rising star already beginning to show such expertise.

As you possibly can see, the switch goal is at an analogous stage to that of Botman, whose metrics throughout his ultimate marketing campaign in France, when he was 22, will not be too dissimilar to that of Khusanov, already assured and correct within the duel, profitable a formidable variety of tackles and interceptions too.

Expertise scout Jacek Kulig, above, hailed the Uzbekistani as a “future legend” in what factors towards a affluent future. He is definitely proving himself to have the school for a high-profile profession.

As per FBref, Khusanov ranks among the many high 11% of centre-backs throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues over the previous 12 months for tackles, the highest 1% for interceptions and the highest 8% for blocks made per 90. Therefore, it is clear that he is on the quick observe towards turning into one of many hardest and most tenacious defenders throughout the continent.

There are features of the younger titan’s recreation that want refining, however that is solely pure on condition that he is aged 20, and Newcastle have additionally proven that they’re keen to spend money on the youthful technology.

This summer season, Howe welcomed William Osula to Tyneside after buying the 20-year-old striker from Sheffield United for a reported £15m payment. He is solely performed a bit-part position to this point however has loads of potential and is one to regulate.

Presently, the massive hitters within the Premier League have not registered their curiosity on this gifted younger defender. All of the extra motive for Howe to finish his backline with the right long-term accomplice for Botman, one who can take up the fruits of his labour over the approaching years.