In the world of football, change is the only constant. Teams evolve, players age, and new stars emerge to take the place of old favorites.
For Newcastle United, this natural cycle is becoming increasingly clear as the team builds for a future filled with European nights and Premier League challenges.
At the heart of this transition is a difficult but necessary reality: saying a gradual goodbye to a beloved warrior while welcoming a new guardian for the defense.
This season, while the headlines have often focused on the team’s struggles to score goals, a quieter, more impressive story has been unfolding at the back.
Before the recent match against Arsenal, Newcastle possessed the best defensive record in the entire Premier League based on a metric called ‘Expected Goals Against’ (xGA).
This statistic measures the quality of chances a team gives up, and Newcastle’s number was incredibly low. It showed that they were not just getting lucky; they were organized, disciplined, and extremely difficult to break down.
They had conceded only a handful of goals and kept the ball out of their net in the majority of their matches. This solid foundation has been the team’s saving grace, providing a platform to win games even when the attack wasn’t at its best.
A significant part of this early resilience was the brilliant form of Tino Livramento, whose pace and intelligence on the flank added a perfect balance to the backline.
His recent injury, which looked very serious, is therefore a major blow. But it also highlights a bigger picture. The defensive unit that served the club so well during its rise is now in a period of deliberate and careful renewal.
The partnership of Dan Burn and Fabian Schär has been a cornerstone of the team’s success, a reliable and trusted duo. However, the demands of the Champions League and a packed fixture list mean that rotation is no longer a luxury it’s a necessity. This shift in philosophy inevitably means that even the most celebrated players will see their roles change over time.
This brings us to Fabian Schär, a player who has come to embody the spirit and the journey of modern Newcastle United. When he arrived from Deportivo La Coruña for a mere £3 million, it would have been hard to imagine the iconic status he would achieve.
Now in his sixth season, with over 230 appearances and a surprising number of goals for a defender, he has become a true legend in the eyes of the fans. What makes Schär so special is his unique style. He is a defender with the soul of a midfielder, incredibly comfortable with the ball at his feet.
He can step out of defense, glide past an opposing striker, and fire a penetrating pass that cuts through the entire opposition midfield. Under Eddie Howe, this ability has been priceless, transforming Newcastle from a team that defended deeply to one that can build attacks confidently from the back.
Schär is also a leader. With a wealth of experience from countless battles for both club and country, he commands respect through his actions. Supporters rightly see him as one of the best pieces of business the club has ever done.
Yet, the relentless march of time spares no one, not even legends. At 33 years old, the signs are beginning to show. There have been more niggling injuries, like the recent concussion that kept him out of action.
On the pitch, while his passing remains as assured as ever, there can be the occasional moment where a reaction is a split-second too slow or a challenge is slightly mistimed. It’s not a decline of effort or passion, but simply the natural effect of a long and physically demanding career.
This has led to a growing understanding that the club must now prepare for a future where Schär is no longer the undisputed starter at the heart of the defense.
That future appears to have a name: Malick Thiaw. The young German international, signed from AC Milan in the summer, is not just a new player; he is a statement of intent.
At 24 years old, he already brings with him experience from one of Europe’s biggest clubs and the high-pressure environment of the Champions League.
His qualities feel like a perfect match for what Eddie Howe wants in a defender. He is calm, strong, and possesses a technical ability that allows him to play out from the back with ease.
The statistics from his early performances at Newcastle help to paint a picture of a ready-made successor:
| Metric | Performance |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 22 |
| Tackles | 24 |
| Blocks | 14 |
| Interceptions | 15 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 49 |
In his recent performance against a formidable Arsenal attack, Thiaw was excellent. He won the majority of his aerial battles, made a high number of clearances, and, crucially, was not dribbled past a single time.
With the ball, he was composed, completing the vast majority of his passes. He reads the game intelligently, positioning himself to snuff out danger before it becomes a critical threat.
Stylistically, he has drawn exciting comparisons to modern defensive stars like Ibrahima Konaté and Micky van de Ven players who combine formidable physical power with the technical skills of a midfielder.
Fans can already envision a long-term central defensive partnership between Thiaw and Sven Botman, a duo that could anchor the Newcastle backline for the next five years or more.
Of course, Thiaw is still adapting to the unique intensity of the Premier League, but the early evidence is overwhelmingly positive.
The arrival of a player of his caliber means that Eddie Howe will soon face a decision that would have been unthinkable not long ago. It will involve carefully and respectfully phasing out a club icon, a “true legend,” in favor of a talented young defender who is ready to lead the team into its next chapter. It’s a tough part of football, but it’s a sign of a club that is growing, planning, and moving forward.
