Newcastle United announced their retained list in June, with big names like Callum Wilson included on the list of players at risk of leaving.
There could have been many other big names on the list just a few months ago. Several players’ contracts were set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season, but Eddie Howe made a quick decision on their futures and decided to keep them at the club.
Martin Dubravka nearly left for the Saudi Pro League in January. However, Howe was able to convince him to stay and sign a new deal until 2026. Elsewhere, Dan Burn signed a new deal just a couple of months ago, with the 33-year-old revealing his intention to retire at Newcastle United.
Callum Wilson’s contract situation is still unclear. The striker is no longer a Newcastle player after his contract expired at the end of last month, and there has been no word on whether he will re-sign.
While a few players have signed new deals, others have not been so lucky. Jamal Lewis was another player whose contract did not get renewed this summer, with the 27-year-old failing to impress Howe in his loan spells. In a recent interview, Lewis shared how he really feels about the decision.
Jamal Lewis arrives for Newcastle United training.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Jamal Lewis has no malice with Eddie Howe after Newcastle United release
Unfortunately, the writing was on the wall for Lewis almost immediately after Howe arrived. Despite starting in Newcastle’s opening three games under him, Lewis was quickly taken out of the squad due to injury and then loaned out once he was fit again.
Spells at Watford and Sao Paulo gave him the minutes he was looking for, but disaster struck when Lewis got injured in Brazil, forcing his loan deal to be cut short. In an interview last year, Lewis shared an honest conversation he had with Howe about his future. Now, speaking to the Chronicle, Lewis has made it clear that there is no malice between himself, Howe or any other Newcastle players.
“Despite there being trials and tribulations, and there being more ups than downs for me personally, I really came to understand myself as a footballer and a man there,” he said. “I don’t look back with any negativity.
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“I probably did in the moment, but I’ve learnt as I’ve got older that these things help you grow as a person and a footballer. So I’m actually very thankful for them and to Newcastle for buying me and giving me the opportunity to even represent the club. That’s a blessing in itself.
“It’s very easy to blame people in football, but that’s not my mindset. Mine is to take accountability first.
“Some things are in your hands, some things are out of your hands. Just because it’s out of your hands doesn’t mean it’s someone else’s fault.”
Jamal Lewis remains good friends with Newcastle United stars
A month before his release, Lewis deleted his social media profiles, perhaps as a way to block out the news and focus on himself. At 27, there is still a promising player who is only just entering the best years of his career. Many expect that he will bounce back and make a name for himself elsewhere.
There was a lot of expectation on Lewis after he signed for £15m in 2020, but he was unable to live up to it under Steve Bruce or with Howe’s expert guidance.
His next club has not been confirmed, but there have been rumours that Lewis could sign for Luton Town this summer. The deal would see him return to the club he spent four years at between 2009-2013. It will no doubt be an emotional return to his boyhood club, who are in desperate need of quality after their relegation to League One last season.
Despite the sad ending for Lewis, he revealed in the same Chronicle interview that he still gets on really well with Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, and Jamaal Lascelles. He also shared his delight for them after the Carabao Cup win.
It never worked out for Lewis at Newcastle, but that does not mean that he cannot be successful elsewhere.
With the right guidance and luck in the fitness department, Lewis can still be a top player for a club in England.