This New Newcastle United team will be a reality next season – An Eddie Howe first
Next season will mark a significant milestone in Newcastle United’s evolution as Eddie Howe fields his first starting eleven composed entirely of his own signings.
This transition highlights both the manager’s remarkable work with inherited players and the gradual transformation of the squad since the dark days of Steve Bruce’s tenure.
The contrast between then and now couldn’t be starker. Bruce’s final starting eleven in October 2021 contained just five players who remain at the club today, with only Fabian Schar and Jacob Murphy emerging as key figures in Howe’s successful side. The table below illustrates the dramatic squad overhaul:
| Bruce’s Last XI (2021) | Current Status | Howe’s Potential XI (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Karl Darlow | Left club | Nick Pope/New GK |
| Javier Manquillo | Left club | Tino Livramento/Trippier |
| Jamaal Lascelles | Squad player | New RCB |
| Ciaran Clark | Left club | Sven Botman/Dan Burn |
| Matt Ritchie | Left club | Lewis Hall |
| Isaac Hayden | Left club | Sandro Tonali |
| Allan Saint-Maximin | Left club | New CM |
| Joe Willock | Potential departure | Bruno Guimarães |
| Sean Longstaff | Potential departure | New RW |
| Joelinton | First-team regular | Alexander Isak |
| Callum Wilson | Contract expiring | Anthony Gordon/Barnes |
Howe’s ability to extract maximum value from inherited players has been nothing short of extraordinary. Schar (40 starts last season), Joelinton (37), and Murphy (36) became pillars of a team that secured Champions League qualification and Carabao Cup glory – players Bruce scarcely trusted now flourishing under Howe’s guidance.
The final phase of Newcastle’s transformation will focus on three key positions:
- Right Center-Back: A marquee signing to partner Botman
- Right Wing: Direct replacement for Miguel Almirón
- Central Midfield: Dynamic addition to complement Bruno and Tonali
These new arrivals will complete Howe’s vision, though the manager’s tactical flexibility means we may see variations of his “full signing” lineup. Joelinton’s injury history suggests rotation will be necessary, potentially creating opportunities for different midfield combinations.
The Wembley cup final and season finale against Everton offered glimpses of Howe’s near-complete team, featuring just two or three inherited players.
This summer’s business will erase those final remnants of the pre-takeover era, giving Newcastle a squad fully molded in Howe’s image.
What makes this evolution remarkable is its measured pace. Unlike Chelsea’s reckless spending or Manchester United’s constant overhauls, Howe has rebuilt Newcastle thoughtfully – improving existing assets while carefully selecting new ones.
The result? A cohesive unit that outperforms the sum of its parts.
As the final pieces fall into place, Newcastle stand poised to unleash Howe’s unadulterated vision. For a manager who worked miracles with limited resources, the prospect of fielding a team entirely of his choosing should terrify Premier League rivals.
The hybrid squad achieved greatness; the pure Howe version could reach even greater heights.