Newcastle United 2-0 Athletic Club: Joe Buck reaction
Malick Thiaw’s impressive start to life at Newcastle United has finally been recognised at international level.
Thiaw joined Newcastle from AC Milan for £35million in the summer and has proven to be one of the signings of the summer for Eddie Howe. The 24-year-old has formed an effective defensive partnership with Sven Botman, with the pair yet to concede a goal while starting together in the Champions League this season.
Thiaw earned three caps for Germany back in 2023 but now is in contention to feature in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia during the November international break. The defender missed out on the Germany squad in the October and September international breaks but is now back and will be joined by his Newcastle teammate, Nick Woltemade.
Malick Thiaw’s fine NUFC form rewarded
Thiaw has arguably been one of Newcastle’s players of the season so far, given the side’s inconsistent start to the campaign. The German has started 11 games in all competitions for Newcastle, keeping six clean sheets in the process.
Speaking after the 2-0 win over Athletic Club in the Champions League on Wednesday night, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said on Thiaw: “Very, very good. Very strong tonight.
“I thought he and Sven both played very well and they needed to, because there were moments they were tested and Nick [Pope] made a couple of really good saves as well.
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“So it was a better defensive performance from us than at the weekend. Malik’s settled in really quickly. He’s looked at home with our style of play and what we’re asking him to do. Top delivery from him.”
Both of Newcastle’s German additions this season are in the early conversations for signing of the season so far. While Thiaw has been solid defensively, £65million club-record signing Woltemade has delivered at the other end of the pitch with six goals so far.
Woltemade’s transfer had been scrutinised by the German media, particularly for the price Newcastle paid VfB Stuttgart to swoop in ahead of Bayern Munich. But the 23-year-old has proven his value so far and will be looking to add to his goals on international duty with Germany later this month.
Woltemade scored his first senior international goal last month in a 1-0 win against Northern Ireland.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann said on Thiaw’s inclusion in his squad: “We want to get the two wins we need to secure qualification to the World Cup and to be assured of a place in the first pot for the World Cup draw in four weeks’ time.Then we’ll be able to continue finalising our planning for 2026.
"Malick Thiaw is a regular starter in the Premier League and has become a key player for his side ever since his move to England.”
Other internationals set to be confirmed
Bruno Guimaraes has been confirmed as part of the Brazil squad for the upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia while Joelinton missed out.
The Netherlands, Sweden, Italy and England squads are also set to be announced this week where the likes of Sven Botman, Emil Krafth, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Gordon and Dan Burn will discover their international fate. Lewis Miley was called up to the England Under-21s squad last month but dropped out due to injury.
Lewis Hall has also previously been with the Under-21s squad but has only just returned from a month-long hamstring injury for Newcastle.
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