Four squad problems Newcastle must fix in 2026 - Part 2

Last week, I released a piece on Part 1 of the squad issues Newcastle United must fix in 2026.

This covered Anthony Elanga, our new £55m winger failing to hit the heights of last season, and the Yoane Wissa's worrying lack of form since we overpaid significantly to bring him in from Brentford.

In this piece, I look at Nick Woltemade, squad depth and our need for decisive summer.

3. Finding Woltemade’s role

I’ve already written an article about why I believe the criticism of Woltemade has been insanely harsh, so this is purely about where he fits in on the pitch.

As I’ve said on Elanga in Part 1 of this piece, Howe shouldn’t have to change his entire system based on the needs of one or two players (which begs the question of why he has scouted and targeted them really, but that’s for another day).

However, Nick is becoming a slight issue in that sense. For me, if you look at his finishes against Brighton and Chelsea, its obvious that what he lacks in speed of body he makes up for in speed of thought, he is an extremely gifted and intelligent footballer quite clearly. Yes – he isn’t Alexander Isak (who had both) but if unlocked, could be as deadly.

He needs runners either side of him and ultimately he needs service. I said last time out that Alan Shearer would struggle to score goals in this team at the minute given the four available wingers struggle to beat the first man in their first three attempts of a cross, so for Woltemade who isn’t an out and out number nine, it is going to be more difficult.

I’ve said a few times now that this lad has the potential to really become a world class player, but the more I see Howe playing him in centre midfield (an experiment that should have been stopped half an hour after it started), I do fear that player won’t be seen in the black and white stripes.

4. Squad depth and becoming better sellers

I want to finish on a generalisation of something that all the above points really seem to come under, and that’s an overall improvement on the quality of the squad.

The ship has sailed in terms of catching them given the new legislation and the lack of pull United have wage wise, so it’s impossible to compare – but look at Manchester City the other night. They essentially played their second string, and although Newcastle were neither at full strength or at their best, you can’t help but be envious of how well Pep’s side have broadened their squad.

Watching a goalkeeper who would comfortably be Newcastle’s number one and a centre half who will start for England at the World Cup be relegated to cup appearances really does spell out the gap in that regard. And whilst United aren’t going to get there overnight or possibly ever, they have to learn that not every player is going to be a superstar but they will bring more than the likes of John Ruddy sat on the bench, for example.

This summer we have to bulk up the squad with astute, cheaper signings that might not sound brilliant but can be relied upon in the Premier League, examples such as Barkley and Tielemans on a free at Villa, Norgaard at Arsenal – players who don’t take your breath away but offer far more than our bench does. It will help ease the burnout and mean year on year the quality of the squad improves.

That comes with being better sellers too. As I’m not someone who gets over sentimental towards multi-millionaire footballers ( I am able to understand that the majority of them just see it as their job and would leave for a better opportunity should it arise), I find it easy to say that along this journey we are going to watch players who’ve achieved great things for us move on, and fans should be at peace with it.

This summer may mark the end of Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento’s Newcastle careers. For me, the club must learn their intentions quickly, and if they want to go, ensure we get the best possible fee and reinvest it wisely.

One of Newcastle’s biggest errors last year was trying to save face and keep a player who didn’t want to be here – its time to learn to let go, sell certain players for big profits without totally dismantling the team, and reinvest efficiently. That way, the club will continue to grow, PSR will become less prevalent, and it also shows bigger players that we won’t stand in their way either, which is an unfortunate reality of agent demands nowadays.

There are probably only two clubs in the world who aren’t selling clubs – and Newcastle’s error last year was thinking one of them was us. That policy must change if we want progression of this project to be as close to linear as it can be.