Pressure is beginning to build around Jacob Ramsey at Newcastle United as Eddie Howe offers an update that could shape the midfielder’s immediate future at the club.
For the first time since arriving on Tyneside, Ramsey is on the verge of starting three matches in a row, a small but significant milestone in a season that has so far tested his patience and resilience.
Ramsey’s move from Aston Villa came with a £43 million price tag and high expectations, but his introduction to life at Newcastle has not been smooth.
He has struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting lineup, with injuries, form, and fierce competition in midfield all playing their part. The transfer has drawn scrutiny from some supporters, and Howe himself has been clear that Ramsey must earn his place through consistent performances and impact on the pitch.
In recent weeks, Ramsey has begun to respond. He has started two consecutive games and looked increasingly comfortable, with his display against Chelsea standing out as his most assured performance in a Newcastle shirt so far.
He showed energy, intelligence in possession, and a willingness to drive the team forward, giving a glimpse of why the club invested so heavily in him. With Manchester United away on Boxing Day next, Ramsey will be eager to continue that progress and make it three starts in a row.
Circumstances have worked in his favour. Injuries have forced Newcastle to reshuffle, creating an opening in midfield. Joelinton has not been fully fit, while Lewis Miley has been asked to cover at right-back due to the absence of Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier, and Emil Krafth.
That situation has allowed Ramsey to step in alongside Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali, and so far, he has taken advantage of the opportunity.
However, the pressure is about to increase. Speaking ahead of the Manchester United match, Eddie Howe revealed that Joelinton is getting closer to a return.
The Newcastle boss has carefully managed the Brazilian’s fitness, keeping him on the bench in recent games and even choosing not to use him as the midfield began to tire against Chelsea. That cautious approach suggests Howe sees Joelinton as a key figure once he is fully ready, which places Ramsey firmly under the spotlight.
With Joelinton nearing full fitness, Ramsey knows he cannot afford a dip in form. Newcastle’s midfield is packed with quality, and competition for places is intense.
One strong performance is not enough. If Ramsey wants to remain in the starting eleven, he must show consistency and give Howe a reason to keep him there even when everyone is available.
There is also one clear area where Ramsey still needs to deliver. Since joining Newcastle, he has yet to register a goal or an assist in 14 appearances. For a midfielder known for his creativity and ability to arrive in dangerous positions, that lack of end product is a concern.
At Aston Villa, Ramsey regularly contributed in the final third, scoring 17 goals and providing 19 assists across 167 games. Those numbers helped define his reputation and made him such an attractive signing.
At Newcastle, that side of his game has yet to fully emerge. The build-up play has improved, his movement has been encouraging, but the decisive moments have been missing.
If he can start turning good performances into goals or assists, his case for a regular role will become much stronger.
The upcoming trip to Old Trafford feels like a pivotal moment. Another composed display could cement Ramsey’s place and ease some of the doubts surrounding him.
With Joelinton waiting in the wings, the challenge is clear. This is Ramsey’s chance to prove that he belongs at the heart of Newcastle’s midfield, not just as a squad option, but as a key player who can influence games at the highest level.
