Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw has earned admiring glances from elsewhere
Newcastle United players Harvey Barnes, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United players Harvey Barnes, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Nick Woltemade (Image: 2025 Newcastle United)
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Chelsea should try and sign Newcastle United defender Malick Thiaw because the Germany international is 'exactly' what the Blues' backline needs.
That is the view of former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, who despite conceding a move for Thiaw would be 'almost impossible', feels he is a perfect fit for Enzo Maresca's side.
Thiaw only joined Newcastle from AC Milan in the summer in a £34.6million move but he has already established himself as a mainstay in Eddie Howe's starting XI.
The 24-year-old's transition to English football has been seamless and he is already a firm favourite on the St James' Park terraces.
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Thiaw signed a long term deal at Newcastle in the summer and while a deal would be very difficult, Wright-Phillips believes he would be the ideal choice to improve Chelsea's defence.
"It would be almost impossible, but if I could have anyone now, it would be Malick Thiaw from Newcastle," Wright-Phillips told BestBettingSites.
"I know he only joined from Milan in the summer, but if anyone has been watching him since his arrival, they’d know he hasn’t had a bad game yet.
Former Chelsea star Shaun Wright-Phillips talks on television
Former Chelsea star Shaun Wright-Phillips talks on television
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"He does everything right. He reads the game well. When low crosses come into the box, he always seems to be in the right position.
"I hadn’t heard too much about him before he arrived, but since he’s arrived, he’s established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet for Eddie Howe.
"Obviously it’s a bit cruel of me to say Chelsea need to go and buy him already, but in terms of his ability, he’s exactly what that backline needs.
"I know they need experienced defenders too, but the thing about him is that he already plays as if he’s got that experience."
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