Newcastle find in the top five after 22 games played in Premier Leaguewinning 11 times, drawing five times and losing six times.
Alexander Isak is once again the jewel in the crown, scoring 17 goals in 24 games played, with five assists.
However, in the Magpies’ 4-1 defeat against Bournemouth, Eddie Howe’s side managed just that generate 0.79 xG in gametaking 13 shots and creating one big chance.
Against Bournemouth, Isak blocked his only shot of the match, 42 touch control and loss of possession 12 times. In games like this, Newcastle needs another attacking spark alongside Isak and often Anthony Gordon. They might add this in January.
Newcastle are looking for a new winger
According to reports Corriere dello SportNewcastle are planning to snap up Botafogo’s 24-year-old winger Luiz Henrique, who is of interest to both Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest this window.
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The Brazilian would reportedly cost around £25m and Newcastle are now favorites to sign him this month.
Henrique is a versatile striker, but he is at his best when penetrating from the right wing onto his stronger left foot.
He has he made 55 appearances for the Brazilian Botafogoscoring 12 goals, with six assists. In the process it is described as “an absolute sensation” of scout Jacek Kulig.
How Henrique compares to Jacob Murphy
Newcastle’s current right-wing options are Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron. The the latter has been linked with a move from Newcastle this month, which could make room for another right-handed profile alongside Murphy, who looks to offer a different skill set.
In contrast, Murphy has become quite unyielding of late, making 21 appearances for the Magpies this seasonscoring three goals and registering seven assists. The 29-year-old is proving to be a big part of Howe’s squad this season, but adding another winger who is more direct could give Newcastle a different option in attack.
|
Luiz Henrique vs. Jacob Murphy |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90 minutes) |
Henrique |
Murphy |
|
Objectives |
0.30 |
0.21 |
|
Assists |
0.14 |
0.49 |
|
xG |
0.29 |
0.19 |
|
xAG |
0.13 |
0.43 |
|
Progressive mounts |
2.94 |
3.41 |
|
Progressive passes |
2.66 |
3.41 |
|
Total strokes |
2.14 |
1.94 |
|
Key passes |
1.21 |
1.78 |
|
Actions to create a shot |
3.52 |
3.33 |
|
Successful downloads |
2.91 |
0.93 |
|
Statistics taken from FBref |
||
When you analyze the metrics of the two wingers against each other, you can clearly see the difference between the two.
Murphy, being more assist-oriented, tends to pass first and tends to create for others, while Henrique himself is more of a direct goal threat, with more shots, looking for his own shot.
Henrique, located in top 5% positionally similar players for downloadsis described as “direct” wing Nathan Joyes, only further proving that he could provide that more inventive attacking opening on the right.
By equipping Howe with Henrique and Murphy, he would have a potent double strike combination in his arsenal, with one winger starting games and the other coming off the bench to freshen things up and ask different questions of defenders in the second half. games.
