The squad depth challenge facing Newcastle this summer

But amidst the excitement, there’s a crucial underlying message that Eddie Howe and the recruitment team simply must heed: we need a balanced squad, not a bulging one in some areas and barren in others.

We’ve all seen it before, haven’t we? Seasons where we’ve been blessed with an embarrassment of riches in one or two positions, only to be left desperately short elsewhere and having to use square pegs for round holes!

Think back to previous windows where we might have stockpiled a crazy amount of goalkeepers or right-backs, only to find ourselves scratching our heads when a key right-winger or a reliable striker option goes down injured. This isn’t just about avoiding a crisis; it’s about building a truly competitive team capable of challenging on all fronts – domestically and in Europe.

Looking at the current squad and the whispers from the transfer market, there are certainly areas where we’re strong. At right-back, for instance, we have the immense quality and experience of Kieran Trippier, complemented by the exciting youthful potential of Tino Livramento and the reliability of Emil Krafth and the future prospect of Leo Shahar. That’s a fantastic bunch that offers both current impact and future prospects.

Similarly, in goal, while there’s talk of bringing in James Trafford, we already have Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie. While competition is healthy, six senior goalkeepers might be leaning towards overkill if it means sacrificing crucial depth elsewhere.

The glaring gaps, however, often emerge in attacking areas. We’ve seen how reliant we can be on the likes of Alexander Isak up front. He’s phenomenal, yes, but what happens if he’s out for a sustained period? It could derail the season. Callum Wilson provides experience, but his injury record is a concern and we don’t know if he’s even staying. Then we’ve only Osula who is still learning his trade. The need for a versatile forward who can operate both centrally and out wide, perhaps someone like Joao Pedro who has been linked, is paramount. This isn’t just about having a Plan B; it’s about having genuine, top-quality competition and rotation options to keep everyone fresh and firing.

And then there’s the right-wing. While Jacob Murphy has proven to be a hard-working and surprisingly effective option, and Anthony Gordon has shone on the left, our right flank has often lacked that consistent, cutting edge and options. Reports linking us with players like Anthony Elanga highlight a clear recognition of this need. A direct, creative right-winger who can deliver goals and assists would unlock so many more attacking avenues for us. We need someone who can either start regularly or provide a significant impact from the bench.

The key for Eddie Howe and the board is to be ruthless and strategic. It’s not about signing a player for the sake of it, or simply because they’re available. It’s about meticulously analysing every position, understanding where we’re truly short, and investing wisely. This might mean letting go of some players who are surplus to requirements, even if it’s difficult, to free up wages and transfer funds for the areas we desperately need to strengthen.

The upcoming season promises to be another thrilling chapter in Newcastle United’s history. To truly make our mark, we need a squad that is not only talented but also balanced, resilient, and ready for whatever the Premier League and our European campaign throw at us.

Let’s hope that when the window slams shut, we can look at our squad and see not just star power, but also sensible, strategic depth across every single position. In Eddie we trust.

Howay the Lads!