MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Paul Dummett of Newcastle United FC (L) and teammate Matt Ritchie (R) help lay out flags in preparation for the Global Football Week Match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 22, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle have faced a busy summer thus far, with more changes to the playing squad expected following the departures of their more experienced pros.
After it was confirmed there would be no European football at St James’ Park next season, Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett were released following the expiration of their respective contracts.
Both players provided vast experience to Eddie Howe’s side and in Dummett’s case, he was included in Newcastle’s homegrown quota during their Champions League exploits.
The Magpies announced Paul Mitchell as their new Sporting Director, and this is thought to allow the club’s transfer business to gather pace.
Newcastle to add more experience to their ranks
The Athletic is reporting that there is an acknowledgement that Newcastle will have to balance their squad this summer.
Dummett and Ritchie were popular figures in the Newcastle ranks, and they were both called upon amid the club’s injury crisis.
The Magpies have added veteran goalkeeper John Ruddy to their squad, but there is a thought that they will have to add more experience in other key areas of the squad.
Newcastle have typically tried to recruit younger players, but with Dummett and Ritchie both heading to pastures new, it may be that some older heads are sought this window.
Newcastle must also become better sellers than they have been in recent years, the departures of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh forced their hands as they scrambled to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. Despite reluctantly selling both players, raising over £60m has been viewed as good business by the club.
More experienced players could leave Newcastle this summer
Newcastle have a lot of decisions to make regarding some of their first-team players this summer. The likes of Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier are all entering the final year of their contracts.
Should the club be reluctant to offer new deals, a sale this summer would be preferable to losing them for free in 12 months. With the addition of Ruddy and Odysseas Vlachodimos, it is widely expected that Martin Dubravka will be another experienced player departing the club this summer.
Miguel Almiron, another player in his thirties, has been linked with a move away from the club and with one of Howe’s key positions this summer a new right-wing, it is more than likely the Paraguay international will leave the club.
After the appointment of Mitchell to replace Dan Ashworth as Sporting Director, his main objective will be to improve Newcastle’s first team, while finding the right balance between youth and experience.
