Newcastle United are expected to be amongst the busiest teams in the summer transfer window, and it already looks as though they’re closing in on their first two signings.
Indeed, both Sven Botman and Hugo Ekitike look to be on the verge of joining the Magpies from Lille and Reims respectively, and these two quality additions could substantially change the way Newcastle line-up.
Botman is likely to immediately become one of Eddie Howe’s most important players, and at the age of just 19, Ekitike could also quickly establish himself as a starter.
With these two deals seemingly close to completion, we’re going to take a look at three ways Newcastle could line-up after these arrivals.
The first, and perhaps most likely XI, sees Ekitike and Botman come in as straight swaps for Fabian Schar/Jamaal Lascelles and Chris Wood/Callum Wilson.
When you’re set to spend over £25m on a player you’d expect them to be regular starters, and in this team, Botman and Ekitike take their places in Eddie Howe’s preferred 4-3-3 system that we saw last season.
However, there are also other options for the Magpies.
In our second XI, Eddie Howe reverts back to the 4-4-2 system that we often saw him use with Bournemouth.
Admittedly, this team is a little unbalanced with Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett, Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser all acting as wide players who love to get forward, but with a little bit of discipline, this tactic could work a treat.
With Ekitike standing at 6ft 2 and Chris Wood 6ft 3, either player could form a classic ‘big man, little man’ combination alongside Callum Wilson up front.
Of course, this team would need a lot of energy in the midfield if it’s to work, but with Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes forming a fantastic all-Brazilian pairing, Howe could be onto a winner here.
There is a third, slightly more pessimistic potential XI too…
In this XI, Ekitike doesn’t establish himself as a starter straight away, and with the striker being just 19 years old with a few injury issues, that’s a real possibility.
Ekitike looks a talent, but he’s only got one good season behind him, and if he doesn’t hit the ground running at St James’ Park, he won’t displace Callum Wilson in this XI, especially after his fantastic end to the season.
NEW 22/23 Barcelona home kit at Kitbag – Exclusions apply
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
