Eddie Howe has hailed Sven Botman and thinks the Newcastle United defender is simply ‘outstanding’ with the ball at his feet.
The Magpies claimed another win on Sunday afternoon as they beat Southampton 4-1 at St Mary’s Stadium.
Miguel Almiron, Chris Wood and Joe Willock had Newcastle 3-0 up and sparked booing from Saints fans.
Yet Newcastle will be frustrated at losing their clean sheet as Romain Perraud fired past Nick Pope.
Bruno Guimaraes at least restored Newcastle’s three-goal lead but conceding will be a sore spot for the Magpies back line.
Eddie Howe has hailed Sven Botman
Despite conceding that goal, Newcastle still have the joint-best defence in the Premier League, conceding just 11 times in 14 games.
Arsenal are level with the Magpies but can at least say that they have played one game fewer than Newcastle.
Eddie Howe can be proud of his back line and it has been a key focus since Newcastle’s takeover.
Look at Newcastle’s back line against Southampton; Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Dan Burn.
Four of those players have been signed since the takeover with Schar the only player Howe inherited from Steve Bruce.
Trippier is the star of the show with his attacking play but centre back Botman looks truly brilliant.
The Dutchman arrived in a big-money move from Lille after Newcastle chased his signature for months.
Botman has been racking up clearances and successful aerial duels ever since nailing down his role in the Newcastle side.
Yet it’s actually Botman’s ability on the ball that has been impressing boss Howe.
Howe has told The Independent that Botman is ‘outstanding’ on the ball and at a ‘very high level’ technically.
Howe also praised Botman’s ability to play long and short passes, even adding that he has picked up the pace and physicality of the Premier League almost instantly.
“On the ball, he is outstanding,” said Howe. “Technically he is very high level and can play short and long passes. He has all the tools.”
“He has got an understanding very quickly and picked up the pace of the Premier League very quickly, the physicality,” he added.
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