Eddie Howe has revealed his surprise at just how quickly Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman have formed one of the Premier League’s most solid defensive partnerships.
In a season where Newcastle United have faced injuries, tactical changes, and plenty of challenges, the way these two defenders have clicked together has been nothing short of remarkable.
When injuries forced changes across the backline, few would have predicted that Botman and Thiaw would rise to the occasion so smoothly.
With Fabian Schär sidelined after concussion protocols and Dan Burn shifted to left-back due to injuries to Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, Howe turned to Thiaw and Botman.
The gamble has paid off. Thiaw, a summer signing yet to experience English football, and Botman, returning to his best after a long spell out, have been rock solid at the heart of defence.
Their understanding on the pitch has impressed not only the Newcastle supporters but also pundits and teammates who have praised the duo’s composure, physical presence, and ability to play out from the back.
Despite their stellar performances, neither has been able to secure consistent international recognition something Eddie Howe admits continues to surprise him.
The Newcastle boss said he’s always baffled when national team managers overlook the pair, given the consistency and quality they have shown in the Premier League.
Sven Botman, despite being one of the standout defenders in English football since his arrival, is still waiting for his first senior call-up to the Netherlands squad. Malick Thiaw, on the other hand, has just three appearances for Germany, even though his form at club level has been difficult to ignore.
Competition in both nations is undeniably fierce. The Dutch have stalwarts like Virgil van Dijk and Matthijs de Ligt, while German coach Julian Nagelsmann continues to prefer Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck.
But Howe believes both Botman and Thiaw deserve far more recognition, highlighting their technical excellence as well as their physical dominance.
“They have all the attributes,” Howe said. “They’ve got the height, the power, the strength, but also the technical side that makes them complete defenders.
They can play with the ball, they’re composed under pressure, and that’s vital for the football we want to play. I’m always surprised when they’re not called up for international duty because the quality is there. If they keep performing like this, I have no doubt their time will come.”
The rise of this partnership has left Howe with some difficult decisions to make once his full squad is available again. Last season, Fabian Schär and Dan Burn formed a dependable pairing that was crucial to Newcastle’s impressive run to the Carabao Cup final and their fifth-place finish in the Premier League. Both players brought leadership and experience, offering stability when the club needed it most.
However, football moves quickly, and the emergence of Thiaw and the return to form of Botman could signal a changing of the guard in defence.
Burn’s versatility and leadership ensure he remains a valuable option, especially given his ability to cover multiple positions, but Schär’s role looks more uncertain. Though he has been offered a potential contract extension, his path back into the starting lineup has become far more complicated.
For Howe, it’s both a blessing and a challenge. Managing a squad full of defensive quality is a problem most coaches would love to have, but it also demands tough choices.
The manager knows that consistency at the back has been one of Newcastle’s biggest strengths in recent seasons, and breaking up an in-form pairing is never easy.
Thiaw’s adaptation to the Premier League has been particularly impressive. The German defender arrived with a strong reputation for his performances in Serie A, but adapting to the intensity and physicality of English football can often take time. Instead, he has looked composed, aggressive when needed, and quick to read danger.
Combined with Botman’s aerial power and calm distribution, the two have developed an instant chemistry that belies their short time together.
What’s most striking about this new-look partnership is how it embodies Howe’s vision for the team strong defensively, intelligent in possession, and confident playing from the back.
Both players fit perfectly into that philosophy. If they continue on their current path, international recognition seems inevitable.
For now, Howe and Newcastle fans will simply enjoy what they’re seeing: two defenders forming a bond that could anchor the club’s ambitions for years to come.
With Botman regaining his rhythm and Thiaw proving himself at the top level, Newcastle might just have found their defensive future one that’s solid, stylish, and built to last.
