A summer of turmoil is now firmly behind Newcastle United but Shay Given thinks the Magpies have had the better end of the deal after controversial Alexander Isak sale
Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy celebrates with Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy celebrates with Nick Woltemade against Fulham(Image: SmartFrame/Every Second Media)
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Shay Given reckons that Newcastle United's summer was "overshadowed" by the bitter Alexander Isak affair - but feels Eddie Howe's judgement in the transfer market is now shining through.
Isak's £125million sale to Liverpool rocked fans at St James' Park as the Sweden international went on strike before forcing his move to Anfield on deadline day.
The former Ireland international believes Newcastle are currently enjoying the better end of the deal.
The jury was out on Tyneside as Newcastle spent £69m on Nick Woltemade then £50m on Yoane Wissa and other big signings like £55m Anthony Elanga and £35m Malick Thiaw settled down amid the shockwaves of Isak's departure.
But with Isak struggling at Liverpool and Woltemade and co capturing the imagination of fans at Newcastle, Magpies legend Given is impressed with the direction his old club is heading.
Given said: "Last summer Alexander Isak going on strike overshadowed everything at Newcastle.
"But when you look beyond that situation and take it away, Newcastle bought really well in the transfer market.
"Eddie Howe has done some great business, and it'll take some time for these players to settle, but it feels like in the last couple of weeks things are now starting to click into gear.
"We're starting to see the best of Woltemade and Wissa is still to get back from injury.
"Eddie Howe said a month ago that it'll take time to transition with the new players and new style of the player coming in with Woltemade.
"But everyone is getting to know each other now. You are seeing signs again that the things that are starting to click."
Woltemade has five goals to his name in a Newcastle shirt so far, with Isak struggling to get off the mark with just one goal to date.
Given said: "You see a centre-forward joining a club, and if they don't score double figures or score goals galore in the first 15 games, it's looked at as a crisis. But I think Woltemade is already off to the perfect start."
And now, Given expects things to get better for Newcastle in an attacking sense when Wissa returns from a knee injury and Elanga finds his feet.
The former Man City and Stoke goalie said: "I think it will get better as the understanding develops between Elanga and Woltemade, and you have the likes of Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon and others.
"That link-up as we get balls into the box for Woltemade will improve.
"I'm sure Eddie and his staff are working really hard behind the scenes as well.
"When you are 6ft 6in like Woltemade and seeing crosses fly past you or not getting the service you want, it is frustrating, I'm sure.
"What we have quickly learned is that he is also very good with his feet for a big man.
"We've seen for Germany, he can do it in the air with that header against Northern Ireland, so all in all, he is looking like a bargain for Newcastle.
"He's very dangerous, and I think there is more to come."
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