Newcastle United finds itself at a fascinating crossroads this winter. For a while now, the Magpies have excelled by playing a brand of football that relies on intensity rather than control.
Historically, they have looked most comfortable when they have less of the ball, using a “lower-possession” strategy that is often associated with teams fighting to stay in the league.
However, the big difference for Newcastle is the sheer quality of their individual stars. Players like Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimarães, and Malick Thiaw have the world-class talent to make this gritty, counter-attacking style work even against the heavyweights of the Premier League.
But Eddie Howe has higher ambitions. He wants to move the club away from being a dangerous underdog and toward becoming a dominant, possession-based force.
To make that jump, the squad needs a fresh injection of specific technical talent. We decided to consult advanced AI predictions to see which players could realistically help facilitate this tactical evolution during the January transfer window.
The results suggest a strategy focused on young, high-potential players who can keep the ball better while providing much-needed depth in defensive areas.
One of the most intriguing names linked with a move to Tyneside is Kees Smit. Currently at AZ Alkmaar, the 20-year-old midfielder is valued at approximately £25 million. He isn’t your traditional “enforcer” in the middle of the pitch; instead, he operates more like a deep-lying quarterback.
Smit has a rare ability to dictate the tempo of a game from a defensive position, threading passes that unlock stubborn defenses. While he is still developing, his profile as a sophisticated playmaker aligns perfectly with Howe’s desire to see Newcastle dominate the ball and control the rhythm of play at St. James’ Park.
While the midfield needs more creativity, the defense requires more bodies. Newcastle’s current full-back situation has often looked stretched, and the AI suggests Brooke Norton-Cuffy could be the answer.
The 22-year-old former Arsenal academy graduate has been a standout performer in Italy with Genoa this season. For a reported fee of £15 million, he represents excellent value.
He has the physical attributes to match the high standards set by Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall but brings a level of immediate reliability that could help the team right away. Signing a young, hungry English defender fits the club’s recent recruitment model of buying players who can grow alongside the project.
Adding to the list of defensive reinforcements is Joaquin Seys from Club Brugge. This prediction is slightly more “speculative,” but at a price tag of £17 million, it could be a masterstroke.
Despite being only 20, Seys has already tested himself in the Champions League, proving he can handle the pressure of elite European competition. He is a versatile defender who provides the kind of technical security that a possession-heavy team needs.
If Newcastle could land both Norton-Cuffy and Seys for a combined £32 million, they would effectively secure their defensive flanks for the next decade.
Of course, to bring people in, sometimes others have to move on. The most likely departure this winter appears to be William Osula. Newcastle was originally very hesitant to let the striker go because the squad was so thin behind Alexander Isak.
Osula had a few bright moments, most notably a clinical strike against Liverpool that briefly felt like the highlight of the season. However, since that high point, his playing time has plummeted. He has struggled with a nagging ankle injury and has managed only 149 minutes of competitive action across all competitions.
With Eintracht Frankfurt reportedly waiting in the wings with a £15 million offer, a move to the Bundesliga might be the best thing for everyone involved. It would give Osula the regular football he needs to fulfill his potential while providing Newcastle with a significant profit that can be reinvested into the first team.
The club needs players who are ready for the here and now, especially as they try to navigate a difficult transition in their playing style mid-season.
Transitioning from a team that thrives on the counter to a team that dictates play is one of the hardest things to do in professional football. It requires a shift in mindset from the coaches and a shift in personnel on the pitch.
If these January predictions hold true, Newcastle would be adding three players Smit, Norton-Cuffy, and Seys who are all under the age of 23 and comfortable with the ball at their feet. This would not only provide a boost for the second half of the season but would lay the groundwork for a more sophisticated, dominant Newcastle United in the years to come.
