Eddie Howe is the new Newcastle United manager, and it seems as though the Magpies could be on the verge of a very exciting new era.
New signings are inevitable in January, but there is reason to believe that a couple of Newcastle’s current players will come good under the new gaffer.
Indeed, we stated last week that Howe’s appointment could see Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson rediscover their best form and re-ignite their partnership that was ever so potent for Bournemouth.
While Wilson and Fraser could be stars under Howe, there’s another player who could thrive under the 43-year-old.
Matt Ritchie is the other former Bournemouth player in the Magpies’ squad, and there’s reason to believe he could be brilliant under Howe.
Ritchie clearly loves Howe – he’s already spoken out in support of the former Cherries manager this week, and if Howe brings back a positive style of play, the Scot could shine.
For all of Newcastle’s struggles this season, Ritchie has been exceptional. He’s created the fifth-most chances of any Premier League player this term and if the players around him step up a level, that creativity will surely lead to goals.
Ritchie was unbelievable for Howe at Bournemouth. His best season in the Championship saw him grab 15 goals and 17 assists, and while it’s unrealistic to imagine that Ritchie will be able to replicate those numbers in the top-flight, there’s reason to believe that he will improve and become even more of an attacking threat than he already is.
Fraser and Wilson may be licking their lips at the prospect of working with Howe again, but Ritchie could well end up being the biggest beneficiary of his appointment.
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