What is the answer to Newcastle United's struggles?
Several Newcastle United players are reaching the end of their contracts at St. James' Park.
Newcastle United have made a slow start to the new Premier League season, and already, focus will be turning toward strengthening their squad for a push up the table.
The Magpies are 14th following disappointing back-to-back defeats in London against West Ham United and Brentford, with just 12 points and three wins on the board from 11 games, as well as five losses. That’s a particularly disappointing return given the number of signings Newcastle made over the summer, bringing in the likes of Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga and Malick Thiaw, amid the departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool.
Many Newcastle players will now be playing for their futures at the club as the Magpies look to push forward and build on the EFL Cup title and another Champions League qualification from last season.
Which players could leave Newcastle United for free next summer?
That’s especially true of those whose contracts or loans end next summer, of which, Newcastle currently have eight players confirmed, according to Transfermarkt. Below is a list of those players, which includes first-choice goalkeeping duo Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale, as well as centre-back stalwart Fabian Schar.
Kieran Trippier (full-back, end of contract)
Fabian Schar (centre-back, end of contract)
Mark Gillespie (goalkeeper, end of contract)
Jamaal Lascelles (centre-back, end of contract)
Emil Krafth (full-back, end of contract)
Nick Pope (goalkeeper, end of contract)
Aaron Ramsdale (goalkeeper, end of loan)
Max Thompson (goalkeeper, end of contract)
As well as the above list, which features some huge names in Eddie Howe’s squad, it’s believed that John Ruddy and Harrison Ashby also have just one year remaining on their current deals at St. James’ Park, but that is not confirmed by Transfermarkt. There will also be some major decisions to be made heading into 2027, when the contract of veteran defender Dan Burn is up, alongside those of fellow key first-teamers Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock and Sven Botman.
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What next for Newcastle United?
Newcastle’s defeats to West Ham and Brentford could prove particularly costly, given they host second-place Manchester City when the Premier League returns from the international break. Pep Guardiola’s men have returned to form recently, winning their last four games across all competitions - including against Bournemouth and Liverpool in the Premier League by 3-1 and 3-0 scorelines, respectively.
After that, Howe’s side travel to Everton before hosting Tottenham and relegation-battlers Burnley, before the first Tyne-Wear derby in the league since 2016 at the Stadium of Light. Throughout all of that, the Magpies also have tricky Champions League commitments away at Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen.
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