Testing times for Newcastle United and Eddie Howe after summer of discontent

Impressive progress made under Saudi Arabian ownership threatened to be undermined by PSR regulations

Eddie Howe 7/10

NEWCASTLE 2023/24 SEASON RATINGS: A learning curve season for the manager, dealing with raised expectations, midweek Euro matches for the first time and a nightmare injury list. When the likes of Trippier and Burn were struggling, he should have pulled them out of the firing line but securing seventh place should be a source of pride. Getty ImagesShow less

Nick Pope 8/10

A huge loss when he dislocated his shoulder against Manchester United in December and did not return to the starting XI until the final game of the season. "He has single-handedly kept us in games this season," said teammate Callum Wilson after Pope's injury. Getty ImagesShow less

Martin Dubravka 6/10

Slovakian proved solid enough cover for Pope but he lacked the commanding presence and 'sweeper-keeper' skills of the man he replaced. Remains a decent shot-stopper, though, and was the penalty shoot-out hero against Blackburn in the FA Cup. Getty ImagesShow less

Kieran Trippier 6/10

A frustrating season for the usually ultra-reliable right-back. An impressive 10 assists meant he was joint-third best in the Premier League behind only Cole Palmer (11) and Ollie Watkins (13). But there were also dreadful defensive errors in league defeats at Everton and Manchester United, plus Chelsea in the League Cup. Getty ImagesShow less

Paul Dummett 6/10

No more than a bit-part player, the Geordie defender produced two excellent performances in League Cup wins over Manchester City and Man United. Gave away a clumsy late penalty moments after coming off the bench that cost his team three points against Everton. Getty ImagesShow less

Sven Botman 4/10

A campaign to forget for the Dutch centre-half after suffering two torn ACL injuries in six months. Did not play until December after opting for rest rather than surgery, looked a shell of the player that shone last season on his return before breaking down again in March and will now have surgery, meaning six to nine months out. Getty ImagesShow less

Fabian Schar 8/10

Had been Newcastle's only ever-present defender in an injury-ravaged campaign for the squad until a hamstring problem saw him miss the final few games. Excellent at the back, though, and contributed at the other end of the pitch with five goals, including a stunning finish in the 4-1 Champions League win over PSG. Getty ImagesShow less

Jamaal Lascelles 6/10

Club captain was given an unexpected extended run in the team due to Botman's injury woes. Solid enough from the experienced centre-back but a lack of pace often exposed him. Did score a memorable header in the 4-1 demolition of Chelsea. Ruptured his ACL in March and is out for six to nine months. Getty ImagesShow less

Matt Targett 4/10

A season to be written off by the former Aston Villa left-back who made only one Premier League start due to injuries and just seven appearances across all competitions. Getty Images

Emil Krafth 7/10

Versatile Swedish defender made a welcome return from the previous season's ruptured cruciate ligament. Ability to cover in several defensive positions was much-needed in such aninjury disrupted season for the team. Rewarded with a contract extension in February. PAShow less

Lewis Hall 6/10

A baptism of fire for the teenage left-back. Looked physically out of his depth in the League Cup win over Man City, dropped out of the starting XI picture for a while as he struggled to cope with Howe's intense training requirements. Showed patience and ended the season in the team and playing well. AFPShow less

Tino Livramento 7/10

Has the potential to become Newcastle's - and England's - right-back for years to come. Offers a real attacking threat surging forward, as shown by one 30-yard run before setting up a goal for Almiron in the League Cup win at Man United. Room to improve defensively but that will come under Howe's tutelage. Getty ImagesShow less

Dan Burn 7/10

A season of ups and downs for the Geordie defender. At left-back, his lack of pace was targeted by opponents with some success. Looked more comfortable in a central role. Scored in the unforgettable win over PSG and proudly wore the captain's armband in Trippier's and Lascalles' absence. Getty ImagesShow less

Joelinton 8/10

Brazilian is an integral cog in the machine so his absence after undergoing surgery on a thigh injury was a huge blow. Driving force behind the 4-2 win over Brentford on the final day of the season - his first start since January 6 - and showed why Howe was delighted when the midfielder signed a new long-term deal in April. AFPShow less

Sandro Tonali 3/10

Italian midfielder was Newcastle's marquee summer signing and started the season with a man-of-the-match display in the opening day 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa. But his world quickly fell apart when he was given a 10-month ban in October for breaking betting rules while at former club AC Milan. Getty ImagesShow less

Anthony Gordon 9/10

A sensational first full season on Tyneside which has seen the winger score 12 goals, provide 10 assists and produced consistent performances that should be enough to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024. Getty ImagesShow less

Matt Ritchie 6/10

Has just completed his eighth season at the club but the 34-year-old is now restricted to late cameos off the bench. Scored in stoppage time with one of those appearances, though, to earn Newcastle a late point at home to his former club Bournemouth. Ritchie "drives standards in training", according to Howe. PAShow less

Harvey Barnes 7/10

Injury-hit first campaign for the summer signing who still contributed four goals in 21 appearances. Memorably scored after coming off the bench in his first game back after a long lay-off to earn his team a point in the extraordinary 4-4 draw with Luton in February. Ended the season on high with a goal against Brentford. Getty ImagesShow less

Joe Willock 6/10

Another huge loss due to injury that resulted in the midfielder making just five league starts. The high point of his season came in the League Cup win at Manchester United with a superb solo run and finish. Would have started the season dreaming of a first England cap, ended it just wanting to be fully fit again. Getty ImagesShow less

Lewis Miley 7/10

The midfielder was an unlikely beneficiary of Newcastle's relentless injury list that resulted in the local boy making his debut aged 17. Would go on to make 26 appearances, provide his first assist and score his first goal before - inevitably - having his season ended due to a back injury. Getty ImagesShow less

Elliot Anderson 6/10

Geordie midfielder, 21, missed a large part of the campaign due to a stress fracture in his lower back. Has the potential to become a key player but needs an injury-free season and regular game time. But must add goals and assists to his game if that is to happen next season. Getty ImagesShow less

Sean Longstaff 7/10

Can frustrate with his final product as his passing and shooting can be wayward at times but his commitment to the cause can never be faulted. He is working hard on his finishing in training, according to manager Howe, and the midfielder contributed a career-best eight goals this season. PAShow less

Bruno Guimaraes 8/10

Brazilian playmaker remains absolutely vital to the cause, making more appearances than anyone else in the squad (48), scoring six goals and providing 10 assists. Remains to be seen what happens over the summer if a big offer comes in, with the 26-year-old's £100m release clause expiring at the end of June. PAShow less

Miguel Almiron 7/10

There was no repeat of last season's scoring streak but the Paraguayan still chipped in with five goals and three assists, including quality finishes against Burnley in the league and Manchester United in the League Cup. Linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in January and reports suggest he could be moving on this summer. Getty ImagesShow less

Alexander Isak 9/10

Magnificent campaign for the Swedish striker who became the first Newcastle player since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 to reach the 25-goal mark across all competitions. His 21 league goals left him behind only Cole Palmer (22) and Erling Haaland (27) in the Golden Boot race. A big offer could come in for the 24-year-old before next season. Getty ImagesShow less

Callum Wilson 8/10

A familiar story for the England striker - an impressive goals ratio of 10 goals in 25 appearances but a chunk of the season again lost to injuries. For the second time in four seasons, Wilson failed to play 20 league games. Despite this, Howe insists he wants the 32-year-old to remain at the club. Getty ImagesShow less

For the first 18 months, it had all looked so simple for the Saudi Arabian-led consortium who had taken over as owners of Premier League club Newcastle United in a deal worth £305 million.

The club's trajectory was quickly heading upward after the appointment of Eddie Howe as manager in November 2021. Newcastle rose out of the relegation zone up to mid-table security, followed by a fourth-place finish the following campaign, booking a return to Uefa Champions League football.

Backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Howe's squad had been improved every transfer window with the likes of Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak arriving at St James' Park as statement signings that significantly lifted the quality of the team's starting XI.

The following season was a reality check as the club suffered regular body blows on and off the pitch; from key summer signing Sandro Tonali's ban for breaking betting rules, a nightmare injury list, a group-stage Champions League exit, and highly respected sporting director Dan Ashworth being lured away by Manchester United.

They even missed out on European football despite finishing seventh when Manchester City fell to a surprise FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United, who claimed a Europa League spot, knocking Chelsea down to the Europa Conference League, in turn costing Newcastle their spot.

Newcastle United were able to retain key players Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. Reuters

“When I look back on this season I'll only have good memories,” said Howe after the final game of the season. “Some really challenging moments when we had to dig deep but the players never let me down. I think it's been a season of progression … but that has to continue.”

Those final words have proven to be key as maintaining the club's progression might well be the biggest challenge Howe has faced since taking over as manager following a summer of discontent on Tyneside.

In July, the surprise exits of minority shareholders Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi – who had been instrumental in sealing the deal to buy out previous owner Mike Ashley and were the consortium's public faces – were announced as PIF increased its stake in the club to 85 per cent.

“I am devastated,” said Staveley in an interview with The Athletic. "[My] preference would have been to stay, but life doesn’t always work out exactly how you want it to … it’s got to be about what’s best for Newcastle.”

But it has been the shadow of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) that has rocked the Magpies, who have spent around £400m since the takeover was completed but have now made no major signings for two transfer windows.

The alarm bells were ringing back in January when chief executive Darren Eales admitted that player sales would be considered in the next phase of the club project: “If we're going to get to where we want to get to, at times it is necessary to trade your players.”

Newcastle sold young Yankuba Minteh to Brighton for £30m due to the threat of PSR sanctions. AFP

That month, the likes of captain Trippier, winger Miguel Almiron and striker Callum Wilson were all linked with moves away. “Every Premier League club will sell players now because of the rules placed upon them,” Howe conceded. “Selling players is vital to being able to bring players in the other way.”

While January sales were avoided, there would be no escape over the summer when Newcastle were forced to offload two talented young players to Premier League rivals: 21-year-old Elliot Anderson went to Nottingham Forest (£35m) and Yankuba Minteh, 20, to Brighton (£30m) ahead of the PSR accounting deadline.

“I would’ve loved to have kept them – they are two outstanding young players and really disappointed to lose them both,” said Howe. “But, we were backed into a corner … it was as good an outcome as we could have hoped for.”

The sales meant Newcastle had kept hold of their crown jewels in midfielder Guimaraes, striker Isak and winger Anthony Gordon, although the latter is reported to have been unsettled when he was offered to Liverpool as the club scrambled to meet PSR targets.

Only free transfer Lloyd Kelly and £15m forward Will Osula have been brought in, although full-back Lewis Hall made his loan move from Chelsea permanent in a £28m deal. The long-running chase to bring in England defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace ended in failure as did a late bid to sign Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.

And fans' frustration has grown over the summer, particularly towards Eales and Paul Mitchell, Ashworth's replacement as sporting director, who have been in charge of transfer negotiations with Howe taking a step back.

But Mitchell insisted in a media conference on Wednesday that Newcastle avoided punishment for overspending and not recouping anything back in sales “by the skin of our teeth”, adding that the club would not be held to ransom over potential transfers.

“It's about setting precedents to the market that we will pay fair value for the right profile,” he said. “It shouldn't be misconceived as a lack of ambition. If we just spend, spend, spend once again, we become accountable to that by fines and points deductions, and that isn't good leadership, you're being negligent.”

As it is, Newcastle have made a decent start to the new season results-wise by going undefeated from their opening four games – two wins and draw in the league, beating Nottingham Forest on penalties in the League Cup – but would have had few complaints if they had lost them all.

“It's been a turbulent time for the club off the pitch throughout this last transfer window,” said Howe after their fortunate 2-1 over Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday. “But that's shut now, so hopefully we can just concentrate on the football and get the players playing as well as they can.”