Newcastle's 5 best players so far this season
After 11 league games and two cup games, and as we enter the second international break of the season, it seems like a good point to take a look at Newcastle’s five best players so far.
As you’d expect from a team sitting third in the league, there were a few contenders for this list. However given the amount of rotation in the squad it seemed best to try and stick to those who have played more than a handful of games.
Players such as Ciaran Clark, Christian Atsu, and Deandre Yedlin deserve a mention for a series of consistent performances over the past few weeks, but this list focuses on those who have been performing well from the very beginning.
Jamaal Lascelles
It’s fairly safe to say that even the most optimistic Newcastle fan wouldn’t have put money on Lascelles being captain within two years of signing, but that’s exactly what’s happened to the former Nottingham Forest centre half.
The skipper’s Toon career didn’t get off the best of starts last season, but under Rafa’s stewardship the 22-year-old has flourished. His display against Rotherham was possibly his best yet: Lascelles looked unbeatable both in the air and on the ground.
He’s been more or less the mainstay of the current team, and whether paired alongside Mbemba or Clark - both of whom have more Premier League experience - hasn’t looked out of his depth at all. Hopefully he keeps this up and becomes a regular name for the next few years.
Click here to see who else we think has been one of the club's best players this season
Dwight Gayle
Newcastle’s current top scorer had to feature. Seven goals in his first eight games - including a hat-trick in the comeback against Norwich - has seen him establish himself in the number nine shirt.
So far Gayle hasn’t looked like the most clinical of strikers, but his pace and workrate mean that whether it’s the start or the end of matches defenders can’t afford to switch off with him around. Now it’s down to the boss to get the most out of him, as his partnership with Diame doesn’t seem to be the most fruitful.
Click here to see who else we think has been one of the club's best players this season
Isaac Hayden
When Isaac Hayden signed in the summer there won’t have been too many people expecting him to play a major part in the club’s promotion push. Fast forward a few months and there’s disappointment whenever he’s not named in the starting line-up.
It’s with good reason too: the youngster has looked calm and assured in his appearances so far. Hayden also provides physical presence in what is usually quite a small midfield. He has even managed to open his goalscoring account for the club as well, netting a header in the 4-1 victory over Reading.
Click here to see who else we think has been one of the club's best players this season
Jonjo Shelvey
A few eyebrows were raised when Newcastle paid £12m for the Swansea midfielder in January. Despite some early promise at Swansea, Jonjo Shelvey had fallen from the first team picture and barely featured in the league.
After enduring a pretty miserable first six months, and being dropped by Benitez when he arrived at the club, Shelvey has now become one of the team’s key players. A stunning strike against QPR has helped, as has the fact he’s seemingly rediscovered his ability to unlock defences with his passing.
He was instrumental in the Norwich comeback, sending accurate passes forward towards the head of Mitrovic which lead to the two injury time goals. Three goals and three assists in 11 appearances this season have seen him become one of the first names on Rafa’s teamsheets.
His performances were also recognised by the league, and Shelvey was one of six players nominated for September’s PFA Fans’ Championship Player of the Month award.
Click here to see who else we think has been one of the club's best players this season
Yoann Gouffran
One of many linked with a move away over the summer - and one for which there wouldn’t have been many tears shed - Yoann Gouffran’s time on Tyneside was seemingly at an end.
Now, 13 games into the season, Gouffran has become something of a good luck charm as Newcastle haven’t lost a game that he’s featured in. The 30-year-old looks a different player under Benitez, now encouraged to get forward as much as possible and help the attack rather than being deployed as a more defensive winger.
Gouffran has ended an 18-month barren run in front of goal to score three so far this season, and is showing evidence of the ability that prompted Newcastle to make a move for him in the first place.
