Who have been Newcastle United's statistically strongest players this season?
The Magpies have now taken just one point from their last four Premier League matches, losing their last three and sinking to 12th in the table. An 11-point gap has now opened up on the top four, while Newcastle were also soundly beaten in their EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
While they’re still in the FA Cup, an away trip to Aston Villa is a difficult task to say the least. And even if Newcastle beat Qarabag in their Champions League play-off, either Chelsea or Barcelona lie in wait in the last 16. Eddie Howe needs some serious improvements from his team, but who are the players he’ll be able to rely on as the season moves into its final third? Here is Newcastle’s strongest starting line-up, based on WhoScored player ratings from their Premier League matches. Only players with 900 minutes (40%) have been considered.
Newcastle United’s strongest XI: 2025/26 Premier League
Goalkeeper
GK: Nick Pope (6.71)
RB: Tino Livramento (6.77)
CB: Malick Thiaw (6.88)
CB: Fabian Schär (6.80)
LB: Lewis Hall (6.90)
CM: Bruno Guimarães (7.20)
CM: Joelinton (6.80)
CM: Lewis Miley (6.77)
RW: Jacob Murphy (6.54)
ST: Nick Woltemade (6.70)
LW: Anthony Gordon (6.58)
Bruno Guimaraes leads the way as Anthony Gordon fails to deliver
On paper, the above side is one of the strongest in the Premier League, full of established stars and exciting talent. One of the biggest problems for Howe, though, has been keeping players fit, with the likes of Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Jacob Murphy yet to hit the 1,100-minute mark.
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That said, there are some predictable inclusions. It’s no surprise that Bruno Guimaraes has the highest rating of any Newcastle player this season, with the Brazilian midfielder notching nine goals and four assists in the Premier League so far, including one of each in the defeat to Brentford last time out. Malick Thiaw has also adjusted brilliantly to life at St. James’ Park, sitting first among Newcastle players in a number of key defensive metrics, including aerial duels won (77), clearances (126), and shots blocked (18). With another three goals to boot, Thiaw’s 6.88 rating is second only to Guimaraes.
Fans will be pleased to see local lad Lewis Miley included. The youngster has featured as both a right-back and central midfielder so far this season, but whichever position he’s occupied, he’s performed at a high level and is really starting to look every inch a Premier League star. Wingers Murphy and Anthony Gordon have the lowest ratings in this line-up. Howe will be especially desperate for a drastic improvement from the latter in the final stages of the campaign after registering just three goals and an assist so far, not to mention the expensive Anthony Elanga, who doesn’t even make the cut.
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