Sven Botman avoiding surgery would be ‘amazing’ news for Newcastle
Newcastle United defender Sven Botman has been a key figure since arriving at St James’ Park.
Eddie Howe has been missing Newcastle United defender Sven Botman due to injury, and journalist Dean Jones has offered his opinion to GIVEMESPORT on what may be ‘one of the greatest wins of the season’ in terms of his fitness ahead of their game against Chelsea.
According to Sky Sports, the Magpies signed Botman from Lille for a cost of £35 million last summer. The 23-year-old has swiftly established himself as a crucial figure at St James’ Park, but an injury has kept him out for the duration of the season. Newcastle have done OK without the centre-back, but there is little doubt that they are a greater team with him in the starting XI.
Botman has had the international break to improve his fitness, so Newcastle fans will be hopeful he can feature against Chelsea this Saturday. Botman has had the international break to improve his fitness, so Newcastle fans will be hopeful he can feature against Chelsea this Saturday.
Sven Botman could be close to returning
Howe stated in October that Botman’s injury could be a long-term problem, and the defender hasn’t played since late September against Sheffield United. The Dutch center-back has now missed 11 consecutive games in all competitions, with the Magpies losing their previous two. Botman was undeniably one of Newcastle’s top performers this season prior to his injury, so Howe will be eager to see him return as soon as possible.
Jones previously told GIVEMESPORT that without Botman in the starting XI, Newcastle appear to be a lot more susceptible, implying that Howe and his recruiting staff may regret not purchasing a defender during the summer transfer window. It would be intriguing to watch if the Magpies enter the market in January, but Botman could be on his way back.
According to The Athletic, Botman was getting closer to returning to training before the international break after the club gave him time to relax to recover from his fitness issues. However, according to a recent Telegraph report, Newcastle are getting increasingly concerned about Botman, who may require surgery to repair a chronic knee ailment.
Howe will talk to the media before of their weekend match against Chelsea, where he is anticipated to deliver an update on one of his top players.
Dean Jones verdict
Jones believes that if Botman avoids surgery, it will be one of the ‘biggest wins of the season’ for Newcastle, given how much they miss him when he isn’t in the lineup. According to the journalist, Howe really needs some of his injured players to return to action since they aren’t as sharp as they were at the start of the season. Jones revealed to GIVEMESPORT…
“If Botman can avoid surgery then that’s like one of the biggest wins of the season for Newcastle because when he’s not in that team, they miss him a lot. They manage to survive, but they don’t thrive without Botman I don’t think. It’s amazing if he can be on the road to recovery sooner rather than later. They’re just looking for players to be available again so they can get back close to having their strongest 11 on the pitch and if Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak can be back in time for this weekend then all the better, because we see like how sharp that Newcastle attack can be. It’s just a shame sometimes when you take a couple of those tools away and they’re just not quite as sharp.”
Eddie Howe is looking for a new defense
Even with Botman available for selection, Newcastle does not have a lot of depth at the back. As a result, when the January transfer window opens, signing a defender could be one of their top priorities. According to Football Transfers, Everton teenager Jarrad Branthwaite is on Howe’s shortlist.
The England youth international may be an excellent addition. Branthwaite, 21, is still far from realizing his full potential, but he is now a Premier League regular for Sean Dyche’s team. The former Carlisle defender was also born in the North East, so relocating closer to home may be appealing to the big centre-back.
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