Newcastle United has been shaken by the injury of Sven Botman as Eddie Howe looks at both short-term and long-term possibilities.
It’s hardly surprising that Newcastle United is looking for a left-sided centre-back.
The news of Sven Botman’s lengthy layoff was a shattering blow in an injury-plagued season at the club’s Benton base. Make no mistake: several injuries at the club’s Tyneside headquarters in a single season are nothing unusual when viewed through the years of black and white tapestry.
However, with the exception of Fabian Schar, Miguel Almiron, Bruno Guimaraes, and Anthony Gordon, every Premier League player has lost significant amounts of time this season due to injury.
Has it every been this bad?
Regrettably, the current season will be etched into the Premier League history books of the club as one of the most injury-ridden campaigns. The treatment room at Benton might as well have had a revolving door, given the frequency with which players have been sidelined.
For every two players returning to fitness, it seems like two or three more are succumbing to injuries, making the 2023/24 season an arduous one. Comparisons are drawn to the challenging 2006/07 season under Glenn Roeder, which saw a staggering 10 players undergoing surgery, including notable names like Nicky Butt, Michael Owen, Scott Parker, and Celestine Babayaro.
Roeder was compelled to rely on emerging talents such as Andy Carroll, David Edgar, and Paul Huntingdon, while goalkeeper Tim Krul made his European debut amid a crisis between the posts. Other seasons have also posed significant challenges, such as Graeme Souness’s tenure, during which poor pitch conditions prompted him to relocate the first-team squad to the club’s Academy training base.
During John Carver’s stint in 2014/15, the team faced an onslaught of freak injuries, compounded by a lack of transfer funds, leading to makeshift solutions like deploying midfielders in full-back positions. Compounding the situation was the absence of Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote due to problems after their return from the African Cup of Nations, as well as Siem De Jong’s battle with a collapsed lung and Jonas Gutierrez’s courageous fight against cancer.
In total, Newcastle suffered 37 injuries in the 2014/15 season, and this season, the count stands at 30 so far, resulting in a staggering total of 1,333 days missed by players. What’s concerning is that there are still 10 matches left to play.
The here and now for Eddie Howe
Howe has refrained from dwelling too much on injuries this season but recognizes the underlying issue that Newcastle must address in the long term. However, his immediate focus is on assembling a team to face West Ham.
Fortunately, he has some viable options at the back for the upcoming match against the Hammers. Fabian Schar is likely to take up duties on the left side of defense, while Jamaal Lascelles will likely continue on the right.
Lascelles, the captain, now has the opportunity to bolster his appearance tally for the season in the remaining 10 games if he can evade the injury jinx. Additionally, Newcastle can count on Paul Dummett, who is available and more than capable of slotting in on the left side of defense. Dummett has had limited game time this season, keeping him fresh and ready for action.
Furthermore, youngster Alex Murphy provides another option for the left side of the defense, although he has seen minimal action this season, clocking just three minutes on the pitch.
The return of Matt Targett to the squad at left-back could prompt Dan Burn to shift back into the middle, albeit at the expense of Lascelles.
Recruitment department already working around the clock for a new centre-back
According to a recent report by Chronicle Live, Newcastle United is closely evaluating Jarrad Branthwaite, a left-sided center-back currently playing for Everton. However, acquiring Branthwaite could prove to be a significant financial undertaking, with a potential price tag ranging between £85m and £100m, making it a challenging prospect for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Another player under consideration by Newcastle’s recruitment team, led by Steve Nickson, is Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Lisbon. Despite being right-footed, Diomande presents an intriguing option for bolstering the defensive lineup.
Furthermore, Newcastle recently dispatched Mick Tait to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, indicating their interest in 21-year-old Brazilian center-half Murillo, who possesses a left-footed profile. Murillo, formerly of Corinthians, has garnered attention from scouts due to his promising performances amidst Nottingham Forest’s struggles in the Premier League. Should Forest face relegation, it could intensify competition for Murillo’s services in the transfer market.
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