Newcastle United know that if they want to keep their momentum going through December, they must learn how to win away from home with the same confidence they show at St James’ Park. Their home ground has remained their safe space, a place where they have taken a draw and a win already this month and suffered only two losses from eight league matches this season.
The atmosphere, the belief and the rhythm at home are strong, but away from Tyneside, things have not looked the same. Three defeats on the road and just one away win stand out as a worrying reminder of where the team needs to grow.
To be fair, that one away victory was a statement performance, a dominant 4-1 win over Everton that showed exactly what the team can do when everything falls into place.
Eddie Howe will hope his players can carry that same energy into their upcoming away challenges against Bayer Leverkusen and Sunderland. These matches will demand maturity, discipline and bravery qualities they will want to strengthen once the January transfer window opens.
January always brings uncertainty. For Newcastle, it could involve new signings, loan moves, and perhaps a few departures. Young striker William Osula is already rumoured to be considering a move away due to his limited opportunities.
At the same time, Newcastle are looking at fresh midfield options to add creativity, control and long-term quality. Former Leicester City talent Bilal El Khannouss is on their radar, while Ferencváros midfielder Alex Tóth could arrive for a bargain fee around £13m.
But the name attracting the most excitement is Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar. According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Newcastle are preparing a move worth around £30m for the highly-rated Dutch midfielder.
The club have admired him for some time, and with Manchester United and Liverpool also showing interest, Newcastle know this is their moment to act boldly. Hope has already called the teenager “one of Europe’s most exciting teenagers,” and it is easy to understand why.
Smit represents something powerful for Newcastle a chance to secure a long-term midfielder with the potential to follow a similar path to Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian has elevated himself into club legend status with moments of brilliance, like his stunning corner-kick goal against Burnley that left fans and rivals stunned.
His manager Eddie Howe often calls him a “difference-maker,” and there is no doubt he has become the heartbeat of the team. Smit is not at that level yet, but Newcastle believe he has the raw qualities to grow into a player of similar influence.
From a young age, Smit has shown the ability to create magic in tight spaces and strike the ball with power and confidence. Scout Jacek Kulig has praised him as a “super talent,” and his goal in the U19 Euros last summer showed why.
Calm, precise and creative, he looked like a player far beyond his age. Now with ten senior goal contributions for AZ, he is beginning to build the foundation of a strong professional career.
Meanwhile, Guimaraes has produced 27 goals and 29 assists for Newcastle, setting the standard of what an all-round midfielder should bring to a top Premier League side. Howe dreams that Smit could eventually grow into that same responsibility.
It is not just goals and assists that make the two players comparable. Their central midfield intensity stands out. Smit plays with hunger, pressing high, recovering possession and battling for every loose ball.
Analyst Ben Mattinson even called him a “duel monster,” a label often used for Guimaraes—who is known for his mix of technique and tenacity.
Below is a simple table comparing Smit’s Eredivisie numbers over the past two seasons, which shows his fast development:
| Stat (*per 90 minutes) | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 18 | 14 |
| Goals | 0 | 2 |
| Assists | 0 | 2 |
| Touches* | 38.8 | 62.7 |
| Accurate Passes* | 23.3 (85%) | 42.7 (89%) |
| Key Passes* | 1.3 | 1.8 |
| Big Chances Created | 3 | 3 |
| Ball Recoveries* | 3.3 | 5.7 |
| Total Duels Won* | 2.9 | 3.3 |
These numbers show a player rapidly growing in responsibility, confidence and productivity. This season, Smit’s 5.7 ball recoveries per game highlight his defensive work rate, and his 3.3 duels won show he is becoming far more aggressive physically.
Comparatively, Guimaraes is averaging 5.1 recoveries this season, but his 5.4 duels won place him among the Premier League’s most competitive midfielders.
Smit is not there yet, but his trajectory points upward in every area. Newcastle believe he has the foundation, the mentality and the potential to reach those standards with time.
If Howe secures him in January, it would not only strengthen the current squad but also protect the club’s future with a midfielder who fits their style perfectly.
Signing Kees Smit would be a bold move, a long-term investment and perhaps the start of another midfielder becoming a hero in black and white.
