Malick Thiaw completed his long-awaited move to Newcastle United from AC Milan in August, but is yet to make his first start for the club.
The Magpies needed a new centre-back this summer, with the likes of Jamaal Lascelles not back to full fitness following an ACL injury, while Dan Burn and Fabian Schar are both approaching the twilight of their careers.
Newcastle United tried to sign Malick Thiaw in 2024 while they were struggling to reach an agreement with Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi. The deal broke down as the two clubs could also not agree on a transfer fee, but it was a completely different story this year.
Following talks with head coach Eddie Howe, Thiaw was convinced to make the move to Tyneside for a reported fee of £34m. The defender made his first appearance for the Magpies in the heartbreaking defeat to Liverpool, but he is yet to make his first start.
However, Howe has a big opportunity to give him his first start on Saturday against Wolves.
Malick Thiaw warms up before a Premier League game between Leeds United and Newcastle United.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Malick Thiaw should make his first Newcastle United start against Wolves
Newcastle are yet to pick up a win in the Premier League this season, but have a great opportunity to earn their first three points of the season when they welcome Wolves to St James’ Park on Saturday.
Vitor Pereira’s side have also suffered a slow start to their campaign, losing all of their opening three games.
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Dan Burn and Sven Botman were selected by Howe in Newcastle’s draw against Leeds United before the international break, but the former has been away with England on international duty, playing the full 90 minutes in the Three Lions’ win against Andorra on Saturday evening.
The towering defender could be in line to play for England against Serbia on Tuesday night, which could leave him in need of a break. Additionally, Fabian Schar missed the Leeds game after suffering a head injury against Liverpool, so it remains to be seen whether he is sharp enough to play.
These elements allow Thiaw to break into the starting XI against Wolves, possibly lining up alongside Botman if neither Burn nor Schar are deemed fit enough to play.
Malick Thiaw shares his best qualities upon signing for Newcastle United
Thiaw nearly joined Serie A side Como this summer, but the German star opted against moving to a club which did not have European football.
The 24-year-old’s experience in the Champions League will no doubt help Newcastle when they play the likes of Barcelona and PSG in the coming weeks.
Those teams are full of quality, but Thiaw named the five aspects of his game which he feels will make him a success on Tyneside.
“I think I’m a modern centre-back,” he said in his first interview as a Newcastle player.
“I’m quite good on the ball, a good defender… obviously, I’m tall, and I have physicality.”
With Wolves struggling for form, starting Thiaw makes sense and would give him a big confidence boost after his move to the North East.