Newcastle brought in 12 new players this summer so it is no surprise that they have plenty of strength in depth as the eye promotion from the Championship.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
Newcastle United are currently flying high in the Championship after a poor start with three straight wins lifting them to joint third in the table.
Rafa Benitez’s side arguably have one of the strongest squads in the Championship and having spent upwards of £50m on new players in the summer transfer window, promotion is the minimum expectation.
The Magpies squad is arguably so strong that even a second choice XI has the potential to challenge near the top of the table.
In order to establish which players would be considered ‘second choice’ we must firstly look at the first-choice XI based on how the side have lined up already this season – which is as follows:
Newcastle first choice XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Anita, Lascelles, Mbemba, Dummett; Hayden, Shelvey; Ritchie, Diame, Perez; Gayle.
Now here is the second choice XI:
GK: Rob Elliot
Newcastle may have been relegated last season but Rob Elliot was undoubtedly their stand-out performer as he kept them in many a match with a number of stunning saves.
Currently working his way back from injury, the Republic of Ireland international would be many United fan’s first choice in between the sticks though for the moment new signing Matz Sels seems to be the preferred option by Benitez.
Even third choice keeper Karl Darlow would be a more than fitting starter in goal which just goes to show how much strength the Magpies have in this position.
RB: DeAndre Yedlin
Yedlin is another who could prove to be the first choice right-back in time following his £5m move from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.
The rapid American spent last season on loan at Sunderland and now looks to help United make an immediate return to the Premier League.
Spanish right back Jesus Gamez would also be a competent option in this position as well – maybe a third choice XI is in order.
CB: Ciaran Clark
Former Aston Villa defender Ciaran Clark has plenty of Premier League experience and opted to make the switch to Newcastle from their Championship rivals.
The Ireland international may have conceded a penalty on his debut for the Magpies in the 4-1 win over Reading but overall, almost every Championship side would be happy to have a defender of his quality starting in their side, let alone as a back-up.
CB: Grant Hanley
Ex Blackburn Rovers captain Grant Hanley is another new recruit for the Magpies with both Championship and Premier League experience.
The 24-year-old Scotsman still has plenty of years to improve and his no nonsense approach to defending should go down well with United fans.
The £5.5m signing has only started once in the League so far this season but with the fixtures coming thick and fast, you can expect him to be more involved over the course of the campaign.
LB: Achraf Lazaar
Moroccan international Achraf Lazaar completes the new signing back four for the Magpies as he recently completed his £3m move from Italian side Palermo.
Although forgotten man Massadio Haidara may perhaps be a favoured choice at left-back, the Frenchman’s persistent injury problems mean the 24-year-old Lazaar gets the nod and he could well earn a regular starting place depending on how he starts his United career.
RM: Yoan Gouffran
One of the surprise success stories of Newcastle’s season so far, Yoan Gouffran could now arguably be considered a first choice player after staring each of the previous three league matches for the Magpies.
The Frenchman looked to have no future at the club after falling out of favour before being brought in from the cold by Rafa Benitez.
In string of encouraging performances for the first team has gone down well with United fans as the 30-year-old looks to refind his form in the Championship.
CM: Jack Colback
Jack Colback joined Newcastle from North-East rivals Sunderland back in 2014 and has previously been a regular starter in the Premier League.
However, the form of new signing Isaac Hayden and Jonjo Shelvey are currently limiting the Englishman’s chances though he still remains a more than adequate option.
CM: Cheick Tiote
Ivory Coast international Cheick Tiote is somehow still a Newcastle United player as a number of potential moves seem to be falling through.
And now the transfer window has ended, Tiote is likely to stay on Tyneside until at least January – and that isn’t exactly a bad thing.
The combative midfielder may be past his best but on his day, he was seen as one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders and in the Championship he could prove to be a force to be reckoned with should he be given the chance.
His performances at the back end of last season are sure to encourage Newcastle fans as well and should the midfielder decide to stay, he could prove to be a valuable member of the squad.
LM: Christian Atsu
Chelsea loan signing Christian Atsu has a reputation for his pace and trickery on the wing and will be hoping to deliver exactly that at St. James’ Park this season.
Despite unsuccessful spells at Everton and Bournemouth in the Premier League, a drop down to the Championship could prove to be just what the Ghanaian needs as he looks to fulfill his potential under Rafa Benitez.
ST: Daryl Murphy
Veteran frontman Daryl Murphy will add some much needed experience to young Newcastle’s attack following his summer arrival from Ipswich Town.
The 33-year-old has bagged 50 goals in the last three Championship seasons for the Tractor Boys and still has a lot to offer despite his advancing years.
His physical approach and goalscoring instincts are well suited to the division and could prove vital for the Magpies over the course of the season.
ST: Aleksandar Mitrovic
Although arguably a starting player when fit, suspensions and injuries have limited Aleksandar Mitrovic’s involvement so far this season as he’s yet to make a Championship appearance.
With eight Premier League goals last season, many would expect the young Serbian to make a big improvement on that tally in the second tier though he will need game time in order to make an impact.
With Dwight Gayle’s form and Benitez’s preference for playing a lone striker, Mitrovic could see his opportunities limited this season though his talent cannot really be questioned.
Full XI (4-4-2): Elliot; Yedlin, Clark, Hanley, Lazaar; Gouffran, Colback, Tiote, Atsu; Murphy, Mitrovic
At the end of the day, the fact that Newcastle have a second choice XI that is still this strong shows that they have no excuses not to get promoted this season.
Although there is a distinct lack of creativity in the middle and pace up-front, you’d still expect this second choice side to beat most Championship teams and under Champions League winning manager Rafa Benitez – it is hard to envisage the Magpies failing to earn promotion.
Could Newcastle’s second XI get promoted?
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