Newcastle United transfers: Eddie Howe has defended Newcastle’s £250million transfer spend on Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw and Yoane Wissa.
Eddie Howe has asked for patience regarding Newcastle United summer transfer business, but accepts it may be in short supply after a £250million spend.
The Magpies broke their transfer record with the signing of Nick Woltemade for £65million while also adding Anthony Elanga for £55million, Yoane Wissa for £55million, Jacob Ramsey for £39million and Malick Thiaw for £35million. It’s the most money the club have ever spent in a single transfer window, though that spend was offset significantly by a Premier League record sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool for £130million.
But with Newcastle sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table with 14 games remaining, the summer transfer activity has been the subject of much scrutiny. Anthony Elanga has just opened his account for the club in his 32nd game while Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa’s impact has so far been limited after injury troubles.
Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw both got their Newcastle careers off to a strong start but have struggled recently with Woltemade scoring in just one of his last 18 matches in all competitions, going each of his last 12 without a goal. Thiaw has been Newcastle’s undisputed signing of the summer but has come under some criticism following a series of costly errors.
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‘Too early’ to judge Newcastle United signings
And Howe is understandably keeping the faith in his players, citing several examples of key players taking time to make an impact at the club.
“I always say with transfer windows, I think it’s a better reflection in time,” Howe said. “Even short term, players can do well, but it’s time that will be the judge.
“I don’t know the exact time on that, on when that becomes a fully justifiable analysis, but for me, it’s too early to make strong conclusions from that transfer window. At this moment in time, I’d probably say let’s see where we are at the end of the season, and then even six months into next season too - I think you’ll have a clearer idea.”
Eddie Howe calls for patience over £250m NUFC transfer spend with Lewis Hall & Anthony Gordon transfer admission
Several key players for Newcastle took time to make an impact at St James’ Park. Joelinton, who is currently out injured, only truly established himself as a key player at the club after Howe moved him into midfield, while Lewis Hall didn’t make an impact until the back end of his first season at the club.
Anthony Gordon also struggled in his first half-season before going on to be named the club’s player of the year in his first full campaign.
“You can look back at Lewis Hall’s transfer and go, ‘Well that didn’t work initially’, but for me that was always a long-term signing,” Howe said. “That’s also true of various other players we’ve signed through the years – Anthony Gordon also took time to become the player that he is now.
“Patience is needed, although it’s a rare commodity these days with transfers. I understand that with the outlay, people will go, ‘You shouldn’t need patience and understanding’.
“But I’d say with most transfers these days, I think there has to be an element of that.”
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