Newcastle United He finished 2024 on a strong note, winning five straight games to return to the top spot in the league Premier League And set up a semi-final confrontation with Arsenal In the Carabao Cup.
but, Eddie Howe He knows he needs to make some signings this year. The current purple patch only underscores the talent and potential in the Magpies squad, but it is not without its weaknesses.
Specifically, United are looking for more firepower to complement that Alexander Isaac Up front – with the right wing potentially being the first point of contact.
Newcastle hopes to sign two wingers
Newcastle are aware of the rules of profit and sustainability in the Premier League and will now want to wake the beast with any overzealous enthusiasm this winter, but they will act if the right opportunity presents itself.
The right wing is already being looked at, With Sky Sports reporting Brentford's Brian Mbeumo and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyu have been shortlisted.
However, there may be another rogue scream Anthony. Caught intrusion report The Manchester United winger is open to leaving this month and has been offered to a number of clubs on loan, including Newcastle.
In December, Anthony Junior Pedroso is his agent He revealed that while his client views himself as a long-term part of Ruben Amorim United's squad, he is open to leaving if all parties agree it would be a beneficial move.
There is no hiding the fact of this Anthony £200,000 a week He has largely fallen by the wayside in the Theater of Dreams, but make no mistake, there is a player capable of hitting his stride in the Premier League.
Why could Anthony succeed at Newcastle?
Manchester United broke the bank when Ajax paid £86m to sign talent Anthony In 2022. It's fair to say he's had a dismal run as a Red Devil. Correspondent Samuel Luckhurst He described it as a “horrible” signing and the lion's share of the fanbase echoed such claims.
However, the Brazil international is skilled and creative, with the athletic qualities required to survive the rigors of the Premier League. Moreover, it is He scored 22 goals in 33 matches During the 2021/22 season, his final season in the Netherlands, with a dynamic and combative approach that suggests he can still rise to prominence in England.
Newcastle will display an astonishing level of tactical intelligence if they are to revive the 24-year-old, but with Howe at the helm, it can truly be achieved.
Anthony's Manchester United career started brightly by scoring three consecutive goals in the Premier League, and he is capable of producing great moments, firing powerful shots into the corner from long range, and deceiving defenders with quick and crafty feet.
Consistency has been the wide man's primary concern, but Howe has already proven that with his takeover Anthony Gordonwho was flattered to deceive at first and wasn't exactly prolific at Everton but is now coveted as one of the best left-wing strikers in the Premier League, because he has the Midas touch.
Gordon worked his way out of Everton to He signed for Newcastle in a deal worth £45 million In January 2023, after He scored seven goals in 78 matches To die after graduating from their academy.
He was a rising star, fast and ferocious, but lacked the kind of effectiveness to convince despised rivals that United had pulled off a coup. That's not what matters.
But he did not completely dispel such allegations after his first six months on Tyneside, Saving his first goal for the club Until the final match of the 2022/23 Premier League season, a 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
Gordon's first full spell as a Toon talent has definitively changed the conversation around him, along with the 24-year-old He scored 12 goals and added 11 assists In all competitions he won the United Award Best Player of the Season Award He earned England's call-up to the 2024 European Championship.
His goalscoring contributions were satisfactory, but what primarily attracted Howe was Gordon's fundamental data, as he maintained a consistent ball-carrying threat while putting up impressive defensive numbers. In fact, he is ranked in the top 3% of his peers in the Premier League in terms of tackles won per 90, According to FBrefDuring his final year with Everton.
Furthermore, the English star won 5.3 duels per game in the Premier League last year and averaged 1.6 tackles per game, According to Sovascorwhich shows a clear comment on its effectiveness. The goals and assists are great, but he has skills that elevate the performance of his teammates.
Therein lies Anthony's potential. The Brazilian is a player in his own right, very special, if not always for the right reasons. But if he wants to win the Premier League, Newcastle could be the perfect place for him to achieve that feat.
He has talent. According to FBrefAnthony ranks in the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues last year for passes completed, top 14% for shot creation, top 11% for successful passes, and top 1% for tackles and interceptions per 90. .
A successful strike is scored when a player beats his opponent by carrying the ball directly behind him while maintaining possession
His natural defensive style offers shades of Gordon, while he is a progressive ball handler and underrated playmaker as well. The Guardian Barney Ronai He called him a “maverick” in 2024, although this was a double-edged comment.
It simply didn't work out for the Brazilian at Old Trafford, but that doesn't mean he can't yet build a successful career in the Premier League. Howe's system at Newcastle promotes attacking improvements – just look at Jacob Murphy, and once upon a time Miguel Almiron.
Let's not forget: The Times reported A few months ago, Liverpool were interested in Anthony in his move to Manchester. Jurgen Klopp was leading the attack. We'll go out on a limb and say that Anthony would have reached greater heights had he moved to Anfield.
Gordon arrived at St James' Park with clear potential but lacking focus. Howe changed that. He could do the same again with Anthony.
Now we wait. We wait for Newcastle to show their hand in the January transfer window. Bringing Anthony into the fold will no doubt be met with disbelief from many fans, but there it is He was That's why he arrived at Manchester United with such high stock, and hopefully now the positives surrounding a potential move to Newcastle will be clearer.
