Howe says ‘incredibly quick’ £32m Newcastle star may be handed a new role

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Eddie Howe is excited about the ‘incredibly quick’ Tino Livramento and suggests Newcastle United’s £32 million signing could play an unfamiliar role at his new Premier League employers. 

With Kieran Trippier firmly established as one of the first names on the Newcastle United team sheet, some have questioned the wisdom of spending over £32 million on another right-back. 

But Tino Livramento, Howe explains, is not merely an expensive back-up.  

The former Southampton flyer could have a part to play on the opposite flank too. Matt Targett, after all, remains Newcastle’s only natural left-back, even if Dan Burn did perform well above expectations during an outstanding 2022/23 campaign. 

Newcastle sign Tino Livramento from Southampton

“(There is) a lot to like (about Livramento),” Howe tells The Chronicle ahead of Saturday’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa.  

“He’s very athletic. Incredibly quick, dynamic, good endurance levels. So he’ll be box to box. (He is a) great age. He’s back after a long injury, he’s had all of pre-season and not missed a day. That needs to be taken into context. Really exciting player.

“He’s fully fit and training. No issues there. it’s just important we manage him. He’s already impressed me in training this week.

“Hopefully he can play different roles,” Howe adds. “It’s something we’ll find out in due course.

“I think he has played left-back before. Naturally, most right-backs can move over. Possibly, he could play there for us.” 

Newcastle take on Aston Villa

Howe does point out that Livramento will ‘predominantly be a right-back’ at St James’ Park. An addition of further defensive flexibility could come in very handy, however, especially with Champions League duties stretching Howe’s rather tight-knit squad to it’s limits. 

Livramento could make his Newcastle debut against an ambitious Aston Villa. Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali have also arrived from Leicester City and AC Milan respectively, while Howe hopes to add at least one more new face to his squad before September 1^st.