The Good, Bad And Ugly Of Newcastle United — Who To Keep, Ditch, Buy This Summer?

There is a split in opinion when it comes to this current Newcastle United squad.

Some view it as the strongest collective of the modern era, while others argue it lacks the depth and elite-level quality required to compete consistently at the top end of the Premier League.

With that in mind, I’ve broken the squad down into five distinct bands — judged on quality, potential, durability and standing within the side.

Band One: Not Of The Required Standard

These are players who either have no realistic future at Premier League level, and whose time at the club should be brought to an end at the next opportunity.

Band One:

• Mark Gillespie

• John Ruddy

• Harrison Ashby

• Travis Hernes

• Joe White

There is little strategic value in retaining this group.

Even marginal wage savings accumulate over time, and squad places should not be occupied by players offering no pathway to impact.

Band Two: Declining Influence Or Running Out Of Time

This group includes players whose influence has waned, as well as younger names yet to demonstrate they can elevate the side.

Band Two:

• Odysseas Vlachodimos

• Alex Murphy

• Kieran Trippier

• Matt Targett

• Emil Krafth

• Jacob Murphy

• Joe Willock

• William Osula

Of these, arguably only the two with the surname Murphy retain value as squad options, with the rest expendable.

Vlachodimos looks an unfortunate by-product of a questionable PSR-driven deal which saw a Band Five player ditched in exchange.

Osula remains raw and erratic, with little sign of refinement after eighteen months. Willock’s persistent injury issues have stalled his momentum.

As for Trippier, Targett and Krafth — with Tripps in particular having been a wonderful servant — they no longer appear to be operating at Premier League intensity levels.

Band Three: Solid, System Outliers Or Underachieving

Here we find competent professionals and players with upside — but not difference-makers as of yet.

Band Three:

• Aaron Ramsdale

• Nick Pope

• Leo Shahar

• Fabian Schär

• Joelinton

• Anthony Elanga

• Yoane Wissa

• Nick Woltemade

Ramsdale and Pope are steady rather than exceptional. Schär and Joelinton may transition into rotational roles if retained beyond this season.

Elanga has shown flashes of quality but lacks consistency. Wissa, by contrast, has yet to resemble the dynamic forward seen at Brentford.

Woltemade possesses technical ability but appears ill-suited to the tempo of English football, often drifting too deep and diluting his goalscoring threat (a prosperous 6 strikes in 10 matches followed by a pathetic 4 in 31)

Shahar remains one to keep eyes peeled for — he has genuine potential as he adapts to first-team demands.

Band Four: Established Starters And High-Level Contributors

These players are proven assets — reliable, impactful and worthy of regular inclusion.

Band Four:

• Sven Botman

• Dan Burn

• Tino Livramento

• Jacob Ramsey

• Anthony Gordon

• Harvey Barnes

Some may question Dan Burn’s placement here, but his influence in defining moments — cup finals, European nights, derbies — cannot be overstated. When Newcastle have risen to the occasion, Burn has often been central.

Gordon and Barnes currently look the most consistent goal threats.

Botman and Livramento would likely be Band Five inclusions were it not for recurring injury interruptions.

Band Five: The Core Of The Side

These are the pillars — the players whose absence fundamentally alters the team’s ceiling. They would command starting roles at most Premier League clubs.

Band Five:

• Malick Thiaw

• Lewis Hall

• Lewis Miley

• Bruno Guimarães

• Sandro Tonali

There are only five truly integral figures in the squad at present — and two of them are youngsters named Lewis.

Our only world class player is Bruno Guimarães, and alongside Malick Thiaw he has been this season's most consistent performer.

Sandro Tonali, meanwhile, has endured an uneven campaign — the cerebral counterweight to Bruno’s emotional drive, but not at full authority for the majority of 2025-26.

The concern is obvious: if speculation around potential departures for Bruno or Tonali carries substance, the spine weakens considerably, while the reliance upon the lower bands becomes increasingly prominent.

So What Do Newcastle Need This Summer?

The elite tier remains thin.

Outside of isolated windows — notably the early PIF-backed recruitment phase — Newcastle have found it difficult to secure established top-tier talent outright.

The strategy has alternated between experienced stopgaps, expensive high-ceiling prospects and opportunistic Premier League acquisitions.

This summer must be different.

Recruitment has to be realistic and decisive — identifying players willing to relocate to Tyneside is non-negotiable.

No more quibbling over £1m here or there for James Trafford, get the deal done before it can be gazumped.

No more last minute transfer hijacks or overspending on players who have shone for a single season, if we want to take a gamble on Igor Thiago or somebody of that ilk then make an offer and don't be held hostage!

If signing youngsters, target the best that haven't quite made the cut yet. Either get some kids from abroad, or a true wonderkid from the English leagues like Leicester City's 16 year-old winger Jeremy Monga.

There is little value in prolonged pursuits of targets with no genuine intention of moving north (as evidenced by the situation involving London loving João Pedro during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion.)

Preparation is everything. Targets must be secured early, negotiations executed efficiently, and recruitment aligned with tactical need, with opportunism reserved for the likes of established quality upgrades such as Cole Palmer or wonderful prospects with a lofty ceiling (much like when we signed Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Yankuba Minteh).

Sporting director Ross Wilson has a defining summer ahead.