Journalist, Craig Hope spoke on his YouTube channel, about potential areas for Newcastle United to improve on in the January transfer window.
He described the right-back position as a ‘priority’ area for the club.
Kieran Trippier is currently the go-to man for the Magpies. With their alternative options being Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo.
There’s no doubt that Trippier has been exceptional for Newcastle since his arrival in January. The 32-year-old has kept seven clean sheets, assisted three times and scored once in the Premier League this season, giving him an average rating of 7.73 on Sofascore.
Hope claimed: (6:50) “But, I think at most, we’re going to see one in, one out during the January window. A backup right-back, I think is, a younger right-back absolutely a priority. A centre-midfielder perhaps you know a deep-lying midfielder could be up there as well.”
TIF’s view on Hope’s comments…
We believe that providing an alternative for Kieran Trippier is definitely something Newcastle should be looking into when the January window commences.
Emil Krafth is out with a cruciate ligament rupture injury. The Swede has only played one league match for the Magpies this season, suffering the injury in the Carabao Cup against Tranmere Rovers.
As for Javier Manquillo, the Spaniard has only played once in the Premier League this season, suggesting he’s out of favour with Eddie Howe. With Hope talking about the, ‘one in, one out’ possibility, perhaps Howe will look to sell him and get a new replacement.
The rest of the defensive line has been incredibly effective this season. Newcastle have only shipped 11 goals this season, which is the joint-best in the league, alongside Arsenal.
For the Magpies, the January transfer window could have more of a focus on providing effective backup, as opposed to spending big money on high-profile names.