Newcastle United have had to navigate wretched injury luck this season, but who has played the most minutes?
The Magpies are 11th in the table with just 33 points and nine wins on the board so far, while they’ve taken just one point from their last three games. Newcastle have also crashed out of the EFL Cup with a heavy aggregate defeat to Manchester City in the semi-finals, only deepening the gloom around St. James’ Park.
Of course, Eddie Howe hasn’t been helped by the sheer number of injuries his side have endured, having to make constant changes to his line-up. So, who has been able to feature the most so far this season? Here is Newcastle United’s strongest starting line-up based on minutes played.
Goalkeeper: Nick Pope
Minutes: 1,607
Pope was out injured in late November and December, but he’s won his place back in the starting line-up now ahead of Aaron Ramsdale. The England international is still fourth among Newcastle players for minutes played, while he’s kept the fourth-most clean sheets (7) of any Premier League goalkeeper and averaged 3.14 saves per 90 minutes.
Right-back: Tino Livramento
Minutes: 1,049
Tino Livramento is one of the Premier League’s top full-back talents right now, as highlighted by Manchester City’s interest in him over the summer. The 23-year-old has been frustrated by injuries at points this season, but adds brilliant energy to Newcastle’s right flank when available. Unfortunately, he hasn’t played since 10th January.
Centre-back: Malick Thiaw
Minutes: 1,759
Newcastle chased Marc Guehi for long spells during the summer before turning their attention to Malick Thiaw. That turned out to be a great decision, with the centre-back second among Newcastle players for minutes played, and first in a number of key defensive metrics, such as clearances (118), shots blocked (17) and aerial duels won (70). Thiaw has also chipped in three goals, with his form strong enough to earn him a recall to the German national team.
Centre-back: Dan Burn
Minutes: 1,348
Dan Burn has had to switch between centre-back and left-back due to injuries this season, but the majority of minutes have come through the middle. Despite being 33 years old, Burn is seventh among Newcastle players for minutes played, showing enough quality and consistency to remain a part of Thomas Tuchel’s England set-up.
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Left-back: Lewis Hall
Minutes: 1,212
Lewis Hall undoubtedly joins Livramento among the Premier League’s most exciting full-back talents. Newcastle are a much better side when he’s fit and firing; they’ll just be hoping that remains the case more consistently moving forward.
Central midfield: Bruno Guimaraes
Minutes: 1,841
Bruno Guimaraes has played more minutes than any other Newcastle player so far this season and, in truth, he’s been their shining light by a distance. The Brazilian has posted team-highs for goals (8) and assists (3), as well as making more tackles (65) than any other player, proving his elite value on both sides of the ball.
Central midfield: Sandro Tonali
Minutes: 1,676
Tonali has featured in all 24 of Newcastle’s league games this season, starting 21 of them. He’s a regular to be withdrawn in the second half, but only because he puts so much effort into each and every single second he’s out on the pitch. Given how busy Newcastle are across all competitions, Tonali would burn out quickly if his minutes weren’t managed. He’s not been at his absolute best this season, but the Italian is still a vital part of this team.
Central midfield: Joelinton
Minutes: 1,370
Joelinton has had to deal with some thigh and shin injuries this season, as well as a yellow card suspension. But those only go to show how committed he is to the Newcastle cause. The Brazilian has registered two Premier League goals this season.
Right wing: Jacob Murphy
Minutes: 1,032
Anthony Elanga was sidelined for four games with a minor injury, but even when available, he’s failed to justify the massive fee Newcastle paid for him in the summer so far, with no goals and just one assist to his name. The often unsung Jacob Murphy continues to see more minutes on the right flank, notching two goals and an assist so far.
Striker: Nick Woltemade
Minutes: 1,382
With Yoane Wissa arriving injured, fellow summer signing Nick Woltemade has almost exclusively held down the No.9 spot. The Germany international has hit seven goals and two assists so far, but is in the midst of a mini drought right now. With Wissa working back to full fitness, Woltemade will hope to rediscover his golden touch soon, or he could lose his place in the team.
Left wing: Anthony Gordon
Minutes: 1,231
Anthony Gordon hasn’t quite found full fitness or form this season, with the disrupted winger registering just three goals and an assist so far. That’s way off the standards Gordon has set for himself, but it’s surely just a matter of time until he’s back to his best, and he did score at Anfield in his last outing - though it ultimately ended in a 4-1 defeat for the Magpies.
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