Eddie Howe stated at the end of last season that he wanted Newcastle United to have at least two star players competing for every position.
But as an up and down campaign has progressed on Tyneside, his selection options have not looked anywhere close to such a luxury. Not least in the centre-back department at St James’ Park.
For long periods, when Sven Botman was injured, Howe had to shunt Fabian Schar on to his weaker left side with Jamaal Lascelles fielded on his usual right-hand side. With Schar and Lascelles tying themselves down to new contracts, the right-hand area of central defence is clearly well catered for ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Howe described Lascelles as “integral” only last week while Schar is one of his big favourites and as an ever-present it’s difficult to see a scenario in which Howe leaves him out of the team. Botman’s injury woes were well documented after he suffered a knee problem that left him close to going under the knife, something in the end Newcastle couldn’t afford to do.
One of the dream scenarios for Newcastle this summer will be to win the race to sign a player Howe spotted during his days as AFC Bournemouth boss. In Lloyd Kelly, the centre-back starred on the left-hand side of defence for the Cherries and as his contract comes to end with a South Coast exit on the cards, it is little wonder that almost half the Premier League club are keen on signing him.
Howe paid £13million for his services in 2019 from Bristol City and the prospect of signing him on a Bosman freebie seems almost too good to be true. Especially as both Italian giants AC Milan and Juventus are now both believed to have stepped up interest as well.
If Kelly’s wish is to remain in the Premier League, United’s biggest rivals would surely be Tottenham Hotspur particularly if they qualify for the Champions League.
But if Newcastle do miss out then a centre-back that can deliver on the left-hand side if Botman is absent is going to be vital. A long-winded Europa League or Europa Conference League campaign, with both competitions switching to a bulkier Swiss-style league format, would leave that competition for places Howe spoke about a year ago a necessity.
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