Jamie Redknapp has hinted that Newcastle United could be in for a tough season, despite seeing Opta’s Premier League prediction.
With all the noise surrounding them this summer, Eddie Howe’s players took to the pitch at Villa Park and played like a team with no fear. Even though the game ended goalless, many Newcastle United fans would have taken a point at the start of the day against an Aston Villa side with a lot of quality.
Newcastle got their first point of the Premier League season with their draw against Villa, but some may feel as though it was two points lost, rather than one gained, given the chances the likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga missed in the early stages.
Pundit predictions for the season have been coming in over the last week, with Alan Shearer believing Newcastle can finish ‘5th or 6th‘, while Joe Cole agreed with Shearer’s Newcastle prediction.
With the first game in the history books, Jamie Redknapp believes the Magpies could be in trouble this season due to the off-field noise.
Newcastle United and Aston Villa players challenge for a corner during a Premier League game at Villa Park.
Photo by Marc Atkins – AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Jamie Redknapp thinks Newcastle United have been in ‘disarray’ this summer
A lot of noise around the club has been on the future of Alexander Isak. The 25-year-old is currently training away from the first team in an attempt to get a move away from the club this summer. Wayne Rooney criticised Isak for his actions, even going as far as suggesting that Liverpool may not even want to sign him after seeing the way he has acted.
Redknapp believes that noise will continue to affect the Magpies throughout the season, despite the likes of Sandro Tonali saying the Newcastle squad are in good spirits.
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During a Premier League show on Sky Sports, the panel, including Redknapp, looked at Opta statistics for teams most likely to win the title this season. Newcastle had the fifth-highest chance, although it was only 4.7%.
“I think Opta supports Newcastle,” Redknapp said.
“Of course (their title chances are shocking), they’ve been in disarray this pre-season.
“(Isak is) still there, but I’m not quite seeing that at the moment. It’s been a really hard, tough pre-season for Eddie Howe. I’m not sure how you can get to that conclusion at the moment.”
Newcastle United still have a chance of being successful this season despite the background noise
What many pundits and figures appear to forget is that Isak is just one player at Newcastle. While the Sweden international was sensational last season, his form dipped in the final two months. At one point, Shearer even pointed out that Isak looked fatigued and needed a rest.
Isak has had long enough to rest now and should be at full fitness, but even then, there is little chance of him playing right now.
Despite Isak’s absence, Newcastle still have a terrific side which has only become stronger in the summer transfer window. Three quality additions have been confirmed in Elanga, Aaron Ramsdale and Malick Thiaw, while Newcastle are set to announce the signing of Jacob Ramsey after having his medical on Friday.
The Magpies are well-equipped to tackle the season head-on with or without Isak. Fans may still feel like one or two more additions will put them in a fantastic position to finish high up in the Premier League once again.