The 2025/26 Premier League season is upon us, and Newcastle United fans are hoping for more success.
Last season was undoubtedly the best in recent memory for the Magpies. A first domestic trophy win in 70 years, coupled with Champions League qualification, should have had Newcastle United fans on cloud nine going into the new campaign, but circumstances off the pitch mean they are going into the first game with a lot of pessimism.
Newcastle have endured continuous setbacks in the transfer market, with several players rejecting moves to Tyneside for other Premier League clubs. The likes of Benjamin Sesko turned down Newcastle for Manchester United, while Chelsea were able to secure the signatures of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
Additionally, Alexander Isak has told Eddie Howe he wants to leave Newcastle, with Liverpool very interested in the 25-year-old.
Isak is refusing to be reintegrated into Newcastle’s first team in the hope that his move away can come to fruition. While controversy and misfortune have plagued Newcastle this summer, there are four players who will be keen to prove a point in the new season.
Nick Pope during a friendly between Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Nick Pope
After helping the Magpies to success last season, Nick Pope has taken the No.1 shirt for the new term. Pope, who joined Newcastle for £10million in 2022, had to work hard to build his trust up with Howe last season after Martin Dubravka performed exceptionally while he was out injured, but in the end, Pope finished the season with a bang to keep Newcastle in the top five.
Next season, Pope has even more responsibility, with Champions League football coming back to Tyneside and a Carabao Cup to defend. There has been a lot of speculation around Pope’s future at Newcastle this summer, with Premier League sides keen on securing his signature for the new campaign.
However, Howe hailed Pope as a ‘giant‘, and has backed him to start the new season as Newcastle’s first-choice shot-stopper.
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With Dubravka now at Burnley, Pope has new competition in Aaron Ramsdale. A younger goalkeeper with just as much experience as Pope. The 33-year-old needs to be on top form to keep his place in the starting XI this season and prevent Ramsdale from taking his spot.
Sven Botman during a friendly between Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Sven Botman
Fans rejoiced when Sven Botman returned from a 10-month injury layoff in January, but were left distraught when he picked up another injury just a few weeks later.
Botman missed the Carabao Cup final due to his injury, though he was able to win his place in the starting XI back near the end of the season. The Dutch defender was able to get through pre-season without any injury troubles, although there was minor concern after he was forced off during a game against Arsenal last month.
It looks increasingly likely that Botman will be in the starting XI for the Magpies’ Premier League opener against Aston Villa on Saturday, where he will be keen to avoid injury and keep a clean sheet.
For Botman this season, his goal will be to stay fit and ensure that he keeps his place in the starting XI. He was sensational in the 2022/23 campaign, so the hope is he can find the same form from that season this time around.
Anthony Gordon during a friendly between Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Anthony Gordon
After a slow start, Anthony Gordon picked up his form and was scoring goals like there was no tomorrow. Then, Gordon was sent off during an FA Cup game and picked up an injury shortly after on international duty.
Gordon’s absence allowed Harvey Barnes to take his place in the starting XI, where he found the back of the net on multiple occasions while bagging a slew of assists.
Having missed a number of weeks due to his suspension and injury, Gordon finally found his way back into the starting XI, but his form took a major dive, and he failed to register a single goal involvement for the final three games of the season.
Gordon will be hoping he can recapture the same form he had during the 2023/24 campaign, where he registered a stunning 28 goal involvements in all competitions. The 24-year-old’s goal this season will be to recapture his form and keep his place in the starting XI. Gordon is world-class on his day, but his performances must be more consistent in all competitions.
William Osula during a friendly between Newcastle United and RCD Espanyol.
Photo by Newcastle United/Newcastle United via Getty Images
William Osula
Having signed last summer, William Osula failed to make a single start in the Premier League for the Magpies, despite fans being desperate to see him play.
The Dane impressed in his small cameos throughout the season, but he was never given a full 90 minutes to show what he was really capable of. Osula called for more minutes at Newcastle while on international duty, and he received exactly that thanks to Isak’s transfer situation.
Osula was Newcastle’s leading striker for the majority of pre-season, but was unable to find the back of the net in any of his appearances.
With Isak’s transfer saga showing no sign of ending, it looks increasingly likely that Osula will have more involvement until the situation is sorted. Osula needs to step up and find his shooting boots ahead of an incredibly important season, or he could end up being shipped out on loan.