Newcastle United finished 2024 on solid footing, winning five games in a row to re-enter the ascendancy in Premier League and set up a semi-final showdown with Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.
However, Eddie Howe he knows he has to make some signings this year. The current purple patch only highlights the talent and potential within this Magpies squad, but it is not without its weaknesses.
Namely, United is looking for more firepower to supplement Alexander Isak forward – with the starboard wing likely to be the first port of call.
Newcastle are hoping to sign wingers
Newcastle are aware of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules and will now want to wake the beast with every bit of overzealousness this winter, but will act if given the right opportunity.
Right-wingers are really looked at, reports Sky Sports that Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo were shortlisted.
However, it could be another renegade cry Antonius. Offside Caught Report that the Manchester United winger is open to leaving this month and has been offered to a number of clubs on loan, including Newcastle.
In December of Antony’s agent Junior Pedroso revealed that while his client is considered a long-term part of Ruben Amorim’s United squad, he is open to leaving if all parties agree it would be a beneficial move.
There’s no hiding from that Antony on £200k a week he fell hard on his way to the Theater of Dreams, but make no mistake, there is a player capable of hitting his stride in the Premier League.
Why Antony could succeed at Newcastle
Manchester United broke the bank when paid £86m to sign Ajax talent Antony 2022. It’s fair to say he endured a sad journey as the Red Devil. Correspondent Samuel Luckhurst labeled him a “terrible” signing and the lion’s share of the fan base would echo such claims.
However, the Brazil international is skilful and creative, gifted with the athleticism needed to navigate the rigors of the Premier League. Moreover, he he scored 22 goals in 33 games during 2021/22, his final season in Holland, with a dynamic and combative approach that suggests he may yet burst to the fore in England.
Newcastle would show a staggering level of tactical brilliance to resurrect the 24-year-old, but with Howe in charge, it could indeed be achieved.
Antony’s Man United career got off to a flying start with three consecutive goals in the Premier League and he is capable of highlight-reel moments, firing powerful long-range shots into the corner, confusing defenders with quick, crafty feet.
Consistency was the main concern of the Wideman company, but Howe had already demonstrated this with the purchase Anthony Gordonwho initially flattered to cheat and wasn’t very prolific at Everton, but is now hailed as one of the best left-wing strikers in the Premier League, to have the Mida touch.
Gordon forced his way from Everton to signed for Newcastle in a £45m package in January 2023, having scored seven goals in 78 games for the Toffees following the completion of their academy.
He was a rising star, fast and fierce, but he lacked the power to convince disdainful rivals that United had pulled off a coup. Not that it mattered.
But he didn’t exactly dismiss such claims after his first six months on Tyneside, saved his first goal for the club until the last game of the 2022/23 Premier League season, in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
However, Gordon’s first full tenure as a Toon talent has markedly changed the conversation surrounding him with the 24-year-old scoring 12 goals and adding another 11 assists in all competitions because he got United’s Player of the season award and earned an England call-up to Euro 2024.
His goalscoring contribution was pleasing, but what attracted Howe in the first place was Gordon’s fundamentals, maintaining a consistent threat to carry the ball while putting up impressive defensive numbers. Indeed, he ranked in the top 3% of positional colleagues in the Premier League for tackles won per 90, according to FBrefduring his final year with Everton.
Moreover, the English star won 5.3 duels per game in the first league last year and averaged 1.6 attacks per game, according to Sofascoremaking a telling comment on its effectiveness. Goals and assists are great, but he has skills that elevate the games of his teammates.
And this is where Antonio’s potential lies. The Brazilian is a player in his own right, so distinctive, if not always for the right reasons. But if he wants to triumph in the Premier League, Newcastle could be the perfect ground for him to achieve that feat.
He has talent. According to FBrefAntony ranks in the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues in the past year for complete passes, top 14% for shot creation actions, top 11% for successful take-ons and top 1% for tackles and interceptions per 90.
A successful takeover is scored when a player beats his opponent to directly pass the ball past him, retaining possession
His natural defensive game offers shades of Gordon, while he is advanced on the ball and an underrated playmaker. The Guardian’s Barney Ronay he described him as a “maverick” in 2024, although that was a double-edged comment.
The Brazilian just didn’t work out at Old Trafford, but that doesn’t mean he can’t still forge a successful Premier League career. Howe’s Newcastle system promotes attacking improvements – just look at Jacob Murphy and, once upon a time, Miguel Almiron.
Let’s not forget: The Times reported a few months ago that Antony had his eye on Liverpool in the lead-up to his transfer to Manchester. Jurgen Klopp led the attack. We’re going to go out on a limb and say that Antony would have reached higher levels had he moved to Anfield.
Gordon arrived at St. James’ Park with clear potential but a lack of focus. Howe changed that. He can do the same again with Antony.
Now we wait. We are waiting until Newcastle show up in the January transfer window. Bringing Antony into the fold would no doubt be met with disbelief by many fans, but there you go he was the reason why he arrived at Man United with such high stock, and hopefully now the positives surrounding a possible transfer to Newcastle have become clearer.
