Journalist Chris Waugh has been speaking on Pod on the Tyne about the role Sven Botman will play at Newcastle United.
The Magpies had been long-term admirers of Botman after trying to sign him in January, but patience was certainly a virtue as they managed to secure the 22-year-old for a fee of around £35m – but his role is still very much unclear.
Last season, Eddie Howe didn’t hand big January signing Bruno Guimaraes his first start until 10th March, so the same could well happen with Botman so he has time to get to grips with the speed and intensity of the Premier League.
Waugh discussed what Botman’s role will look like at Newcastle and who he could replace.
He said: “In terms of what I’m told and from having spoken to people, the suggestion was in January, it was very much they wanted a left-sided centre-back; Botman was the first-choice, they obviously tried for [Diego] Carlos and eventually they got Dan Burn.
“Whereas this summer, Botman again was the top choice, but if they hadn’t managed to get Botman, they were a bit more receptive to looking at right-sided centre-backs as well.
Who should start alongside Botman?
Burn!
Schar!
“The thinking with Botman is that he can play very much, first of all, as an out-and-out left-sided centre-back – that’s where he’s played a lot of his football and that’s where they expect him to play early on. But although he’s better with his left foot because he’s naturally left-footed, he is good with his right foot as well.
“And I do think longer-term, they see it as the possibility he could play on the right of the two, and so, therefore, it looks like at least after an initial bedding-in period where Botman may not start every week, it will probably be Botman and plus another – whether that is Fabian Schar to the right of him or whether that’s Dan Burn to the left of him.”
TIF Thoughts on Botman’s role at Newcastle…
It will be a very tough decision for Howe to make in terms of who drops out between Fabian Schar and Dan Burn, as they formed a good partnership together. Schar has also only recently signed a new contract, while Burn cost the club £13m in January.
While it may be more ideal for Howe to have a right and left-footed centre-back pairing, if Botman is comfortable using his right foot playing out from defence, the Toon boss may utilise two left-footed centre-backs – something that is rather rare in football – but one thing is for sure, Howe won’t be leaving a £35m signing who will have had a full pre-season sitting on the bench for very long.