Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali and Dan Burn
Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali and Dan Burn
When Paul Mitchell said he felt some of Newcastle United's transfer deadlings has not been 'fit for purpose' in an explosive interview last autumn, many fans took that to mean he thought the club have overspent on several major signings. But even by September of 2024, when those comments were made, it had been a year since United had paid a sizeable fee for any player.
While the soon to be ex-sporting director moved to clarify those comments, it was assumed he was pinpolnting the £75m spent on two promising, if unproven, fullbacks in Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. Factor in the £60m paid to AC Milan for Sandro Tonali and it was a sizeable chunk of money for three players - only one of whom made much of an impact in the 2023-24 campaign, for varying reasons.
Tonali's 10-month ban ended his season in October, while Hall was a bit-part player during that first year on Tyneside, when on loan from Chelsea. Livramento showed more than enough to suggest he was the heir apparent to Kieran Trippier, but the experienced right-back was still first choice.
What a difference 12 months can make. Newcastle ended the 2024-25 season - one of their best in living memory - with Tonali, Livramento and Hall hailed as three of the most infuential players in a squad packed with talent.
Italian midfielder Tonali roared back from his ban, finding his niche in the centre of the park for United and transforming the fortunes of the side just when it looked as though the season would fail to spark, while Hall and Livramento have established themselves as perhaps the most exciting full-back pairing in the league.
Hall's foot injury which ended his season in February was a cruel blow for the left-back. Still only 20, he won his first England caps and has the world at his feet. His return in pre-season can't come quickly enough.
Livramento switched the the left flank to cover for his England team-mate and, if anything, improved on his already superb season, helping United win the Carabao Cup and clinch a Champions League spot.
If the evidence on the pitch doesn't tell us all we need to know, then take a look at our fan player ratings for the season below. We asked you to rate each United player out of 10 from the campaign just ended, after reading Lee Ryder's 2024-25 season ratings. The results were empatic.
Tonali led the way with a staggering average score of 9.4, narrowly ahead of another imperious performer, Dan Burn (9.3). The Geordie defender just seems to be getting better with age, and his headed opener against Liverpool at Wembley was one of the many highlights of an excellent campaign.
Of course goal machine Alexander Isak has shone throughout, earning an average score of nine, ahead of United's young fullbacks Livramento and Hall. A total of 10 players scored an average mark above eight, with Brazilian midfield pair of Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes impressing, along with the ever-dependable Jacob Murphy.
At the other end, some lower scores hint at some big transfer decisions. While Sven Botman and Lewis Miley didn't get the chances to shine, Callum Wilson, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock left fans unimpressed.
The futures of all three remain in the balance with the window now open, but with PSR to consider, some big calls will need to be made.
Newcastle United 2024-25 fan season ratings
Sandro Tonali 9.4
Dan Burn 9.3
Alexander Isak 9.0
Tino Livramento 8.8
Lewis Hall 8.6
Joelinton 8.5
Bruno Guimaraes 8.5
Jacob Murphy 8.4
Fabian Schar 8.0
Harvey Barnes 8.0
Kieran Trippier 7.8
Martin Dubravka 7.7
Anthony Gordon 7.6
Nick Pope 7.5
Lewis Miley 7.0
Sven Botman 6.9
William Osula 6.8
Emil Krafth 6.8
Joe Willock 6.0
Sean Longstaff 5.7
Matt Targett 5.5
Callum Wilson 5.4
Miguel Almiron 5.1