It was absolutely essential for Eddie Howe that his Newcastle United squad improved this summer, both for the present and the future.
With the return of Champions League football and the gruelling schedule that comes with it, it was obvious that Newcastle United needed more depth.
They also needed more youth, particularly in defence. While the likes of Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier and Fabian Schar have been and remain key players at St James’ Park, they are well into their 30s.
Eddie Howe had to look towards the future with his recruitment, and he did just that when Newcastle bought Malick Thiaw. The 24-year-old arrived from AC Milan for £34million, ending an incredibly arduous search for Sven Botman’s long-term partner at centre-back.
The hope was that Malick Thiaw would be just that, and the early signs could not be more encouraging.
Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw challenge Ferran Torres during Newcastle United vs Barcelona in the Champions League.
Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images
Eddie Howe sees into the future with Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw
Toon fans absolutely love the German defender, with the Malick Thiaw chant being sung home and away whenever the Magpies are in action.
He has quickly established himself as a fan-favourite, while his partnership with Sven Botman has been mightily impressive so far. That will delight Howe, who believes his centre-back wish has come true.
According to the Athletic, Eddie Howe is confident that Botman and Thiaw are going to be his centre-back partnership at Newcastle United for ‘years to come’.
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That is a testament to Thiaw’s start to life on Tyneside, as well as Botman’s return to form.
The Dutchman looks back to his best after enduring horrendous injury luck, now playing like the defender he was when he first arrived from Lille for £35million.
With Botman aged 25 and Thiaw aged 24, Newcastle United really are settled at centre-back. Add in 22-year-old Tino Livramento and 21-year-old Lewis Hall and you could argue that the Magpies’ entire back four is set for the foreseeable future.
Sven Botman’s contract is a priority for Newcastle United
The one mitigating factor with that statement is contracts. Sven Botman’s current Newcastle United deal runs until 2027, having inked a five-year contract when he arrived in 2022.
There is an urgency to get him to extend his deal, and that fact is not lost on the club.
The Athletic add that people within Newcastle United see Botman’s contract situation as the ‘most pressing situation of all’.
There is a clear need for the Magpies to tie the Dutchman down to a new deal as soon as possible. They cannot go into next summer with him entering the final 12 months of his contract, especially given how well he is suddenly playing.
In Botman and Thiaw, Newcastle United have their centre-back pairing sorted for multiple years to come. The only threat to that is the former’s contract status, so it is up to new sporting director Ross Wilson to ensure Botman commits his long-term future to the club.