‘He’s prime De Bruyne’: Jamie Redknapp admits he was so wrong about one Newcastle United player

Jamie Redknapp could scarcely contain his astonishment as he watched Jacob Murphy tear Crystal Palace apart in Newcastle’s emphatic 5-0 victory.

The Sky Sports pundit, known for his measured analysis, found himself reaching for the ultimate comparison – likening the Newcastle winger’s creative output to Manchester City maestro Kevin De Bruyne. This unexpected parallel underscores one of the Premier League’s most surprising transformations this season.

Murphy’s journey from peripheral figure to key contributor has been nothing short of remarkable. The 28-year-old, once considered little more than a squad player, now finds himself rubbing shoulders with the league’s elite attackers.

His performance against Palace encapsulated his growing influence – opening the scoring with a fierce strike before delivering a sumptuous cross for Fabian Schär’s headed goal. These contributions elevated Murphy into the Premier League’s top 10 for goal involvements this campaign, as shown in the table below:

Redknapp’s disbelief was palpable during his Sky Sports commentary. “If you’d said a few years ago that Jacob Murphy would be keeping company with Salah and Isak in these rankings, people would have thought you were talking nonsense,” the former Liverpool midfielder admitted. “It shows what dedication and belief can achieve.”

The transformation speaks volumes about Eddie Howe’s coaching staff and their ability to maximize potential. Murphy has flourished under the guidance of Howe and assistant Jason Tindall, developing into a multifaceted attacking threat.

His 11 assists this season demonstrate vastly improved decision-making and technical quality, while his 8 goals reveal a newfound composure in front of goal.

Murphy’s emergence creates an intriguing dilemma for Newcastle’s recruitment team. With Champions League football potentially returning to St James’ Park, the club will undoubtedly look to strengthen their squad.

However, Murphy’s performances have made the right wing position one of the least urgent areas for reinforcement. His chemistry with Kieran Trippier and understanding of Howe’s system give him an advantage over any potential new signing.

What makes Murphy’s story particularly compelling is how he’s defied expectations. Unlike many late bloomers who rely on physical attributes, his improvement has been primarily technical and mental.

The confidence to attempt ambitious crosses (like his assist for Schär) and the awareness to arrive in goalscoring positions mark him as a player who has fundamentally evolved his game.

As Newcastle’s season reaches its climax, Murphy’s continued excellence provides Howe with a reliable creative outlet. Whether cutting inside onto his stronger left foot or stretching play down the flank, he’s become integral to Newcastle’s attacking patterns.

His development serves as both inspiration for squad players across the league and testament to Howe’s coaching prowess.

The De Bruyne comparison may seem extravagant, but in terms of pure creative output, Murphy’s numbers demand respect. While he may never reach the Belgian’s legendary status, his transformation from Championship loanee to Premier League force is one of this season’s most heartwarming narratives.

As Newcastle push for European qualification, they can count on a player who embodies their collective spirit of improvement against the odds.