Newcastle United must find the solution to their striker issues in this summer's transfer market
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and England manager Thomas Tuchel
Newcastle United's head coach Eddie Howe and England manager Thomas Tuchel
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In many ways, Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and England manager Thomas Tuchel face a similar problem this summer, although their options to solve it are very different.
The Magpies head into the transfer window searching for a regular goalscorer who can spearhead the side and finally fill the gaping hole left by Alexander Isak.
While Newcastle spent heavily on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa last summer, the stark truth is that neither have come close to replacing the goal void created when Isak decided his time at St James' Park was up.
There are good reasons for that. Woltemade is not an out-and-out centre-forward, and although he showed his value in the early part of the season, his way of leading the line does not match with that of United's high press and need for runs behind opposing defences.
Wissa was supposed to be the ready-made, if slightly shorter-term, alternative. Signed with a strong Premier League pedigree and goalscoring record, an early injury meant he wasn't up to speed until Christmas, but he has strangely found first-team chances hard to come by in 2026.
Anthony Gordon has performed well in a No 9 role, but Newcastle will again go back to the drawing board to find a solution this summer.
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It's not easy. Just ask England boss Tuchel. The German faces the real prospect of heading to the World Cup without a viable back-up to captain Harry Kane.
England have no one who comes to close to the Bayern Munich star, but with the likes of Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke not really imrpressing, it could fall to Gordon to again offer a goalscoring solution for the Three Lions.
Newcastle have more scope to find the answers, of course, although restricted by financial rules which could mean they have to sell some big-name stars to fund the necessary investment.
Across European football, the figure of a No 9 appears to be on the wane. Yes, the days of a battering ram are well behind us, but the art of a true centre-forward is fast disappearing.
United pulled out all the stops last summer but were left frustrated by a series of transfer setbacks, with Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro all opting to go elsewhere.
The blueprint, judging from those targets, is clear. Newcastle are at their best when they have pace and energy up front, but that's nowhere enough in the Premier League. It has to be matched with a cool head and the ability to finish under pressure.
Even Isak was not a traditional No 9, but then who could argue with his goal record in his three years on Tyneside?
Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson has again been linked with United as his loan spell with Bayern Munich comes to an end, and while he has his doubters, he fits the requirements.
Certainlly sporting director Ross Wilson has his work cut out to find the right man to tick the boxes at the right price, but success on this front will go a long way to helping Newcastle achieve their goals for next season.
But as United scour the world for the answer, at least be grateful they're not restricted to the options Tuchel has to choose from over the coming weeks.
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