Chris Sutton has voiced doubt in Newcastle United attracting their top targets to St James’ Park in the January transfer window without Eddie Howe spending ‘well over the odds’.
The Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers assessed the Toon squad on BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Monday Night Club. But while Sutton feels Howe’s tried to make a bright start since replacing Steve Bruce, he pinpointed the defence as an area that must be improved.
Sutton feels the current level of the Magpies’ backline is only of a Championship standard. Jamaal Lascelles, who started Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Leicester City, also helped United to climb out of the second-tier as champions under Rafa Benitez during the 2016/17 season.
Championship title-winners Matt Ritchie, Jonjo Shelvey, Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden and Karl Darlow also remain at St James’. So does fellow ‘16/17 champion Paul Dummett, but the 30-year-old is yet to play this term, unlike the aforementioned quintet.
Howe must sign new defenders for Newcastle
Howe has favoured Fabian Schar and Lascelles as his starting centre-backs since taking over at Newcastle. He has also backed Javier Manquillo at right-back and Jamal Lewis on the left.
But Sutton believes Newcastle must sign an entirely new defence next month, if Howe can convince targets of mid-season transfers.
“I think they need a whole backline,” Sutton said. “They’ve got a Championship defence and that is their biggest problem.
“Eddie Howe’s gone in, he’s tried to be really positive, galvanise the fans. Ultimately, they’ve got some good attacking players, but defensively they are so short.
“We’ve discussed this on previous Monday night’s and they’re going to have pay well over the odds. But who’s going to actually want to go there [amid a relegation fight], who’s top draw and any good? Maybe loans will be the way, but they’re in massive trouble.”
Howe shares Sutton concerns ahead of first Toon transfer window
Howe seemingly shares Sutton’s concerns over the state of the Newcastle defence ahead of his first transfer window on Tyneside.
Reports by 90min claim Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier is among his top targets, having marked right-back as a priority position. The Toon are also willing to pay him £150k-a-week to leave Madrid and overlook fears of joining a relegation-threatened side.
Additionally, a raft of centre-backs have appeared on the Magpies’ shopping list. Among those linked with moves to the North East include Bournemouth’s Steve Cook and Lloyd Kelly, Manchester City’s Nathan Ake plus Burnley duo James Tarkowski and Ben Mee.
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