Newcastle United they have improved over the past month and are now within reach of the Carabao Cup final. Winning the domestic trophy and ending a long barren spell would be the perfect confirmation Eddie Howemandate.
However, those familiar with Newcastle and the gains made over the past three years will also point out that Howe should not be defined by his success in this one run of the season.
St James’ Park is on course to become the goliath of the English game once again, with the Magpies becoming increasingly ambitious in the transfer market.
Newcastle hope to sign the statement
According to L’EquipeNewcastle are the surprise in the race for his signature Khvicha Kvaratkskhelia this month, although Paris Saint-Germain are clear favorites in the race for Napoli’s £68million star.
PSG could be the frontrunners, but they have reservations about the finances that would be involved and that could open the door for teams like Newcastle.
The Times recently reported that Liverpool may be the leading contenders from England, but with the feel-good factor increasing on Tyneside, sporting director Paul Mitchell could be confident of landing one of the most coveted wing-forwards in the game.
What Khvicha Kvaratskhelia would bring to Newcastle
Newcastle’s seven-game winning streak pushed Howe’s side towards silverware, yes, but it also resurrected their Premier League campaign, thus reopening the door for Champions League qualification.
As they continue to improve, Newcastle’s pulling power also strengthens – why wouldn’t Kvaratskhelia be enticed to join the fluid strike force that contains Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon?
Kvaratskhelia, 23, would probably consider himself better than United-winning Gordon Player of the year for 2023/24. Indeed, the sensation from Georgia has posted 59 goals in 109 games for his Naples side, beating Victor Osimhen for Serie A player of the season for 2022/23 when Napoli won the Scudetto.
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While Kvaratskhelia would have to fight for the lefty role that Gordon usually fills, he would likely be an upgrade. Rather, like his ex The coach of Rubin from Kazan is Leonid Slutski claimed the in-demand Georgian “could play in any starting XI in the world”.
Furthermore, Gordon has regularly played in a variety of roles for the Magpies and this will be something Howe will consider.
|
Anthony Gordon – Newcastle Statistics by position |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
applications |
Objectives |
Assists |
|
Left outer |
63 |
15 |
12 |
|
Centarfor |
7 |
2 |
0 |
|
Right wing |
13 |
1 |
4 |
|
Attacking midfield |
3 |
1 |
0 |
|
Statistics via Transfermarkt |
|||
Kvaratskhelia is an elite dribbler and an intelligent and slippery passer, but his clinical output could be perfect for Newcastle, easing the burden that Isak carries. According to Sofascorein fact he has missed just 19 big chances in the Italian top flight since joining in 2022, scoring a clinical 28 goals.
Gordon, on the contrary, has scored 17 first league goals for the Toon since leaving Everton in January 2023, although he has missed 21 big chances in that period.
Gordon is a fantastic player, one of Newcastle’s best, and will play a central role in the coming seasons. However, Howe’s project would only reach the next level with Kvaratskhelia in the mix. As talent hunter Jacek Kulig said, he is simply “unstoppable”.
It’s a dream – some might say far-fetched, but the very fact that United are in the running speaks volumes for the ambition and confidence in the direction they are heading.
