Newcastle United

The joy and despair of football.

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Just the despair.

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Some things you wait for.

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And others never take long to arrive.

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There are awkward moments.

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There are planned moments.

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Chaotic moments.

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Sometimes there are moments of genius.

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And, occasionally, the moment just calls for romance.

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Newcastle United and Manchester United remain in the mix to sign 29-year-old free agent Adrien Rabiot, despite an offer from Galatasaray being on the table for the France midfielder, who left Juventus this summer. (Teamtalk), external

Newcastle and Liverpool are likely to have to pay a release clause - of above the current £70m asking price - to sign 24-year-old England defender Marc Guehi, if he signs a new Crystal Palace deal. (Football Insider), external

Meanwhile, the Magpies have paid £10m to settle a long-running tax battle with HM Revenue and Customs. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

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We asked you for your views on how Newcastle have started the season - and where you thought they might finish.

The most popular selection from respondents was between sixth and 10th (46%), while 31% believe the Magpies will end the campaign in fifth spot.

Here are some of your comments:

Andrew: We know, from experience, that Eddie Howe will get more out of the team than he is right now. Give it a few games and we'll be closing down every ball. We're getting results in a poor fashion at the moment, but we've not got our season going yet. Expect more Champions League football and a superb January signing.

Will: Newcastle haven't played well but have picked up points which is a good sign. We do need to improve if we are to achieve European football. Howe was let down during the window and that might cost Newcastle this season as it is a fantastic opportunity to get back into Champions League. Europa League would be an astonishing achievement.

Tom: We were hoping for more in the transfer window, but it is hard to improve our starting XI. If Howe and the lads can pull off a blinder and qualify for the Champions League, we will have more cash and the best players will want to join next window, when they didn't this summer.

Noel: Newcastle have shown defensive grit and determination in their games thus far. They've also shown they always have the capacity to score a goal or two with the likes of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes in the side. A concern is the lack of cohesion in the play. Hopefully the lack of some key signings in central defence and right wing won't be problematic.

Utsav: We've had a good start to the season, though luck has played a big role. However, the lack of a quality centre-back and proper right-winger may cost us a European spot. The cold feeling at the end of transfer window during the Mike Ashley era is back again after a few promising seasons. I just hope this doesn't end with Howe leaving to take up the England job.

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Newcastle United host Justin Lockwood spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport podcast about his expectations for the Magpies this season:

"It's a really tough question after three games.

"Part of my matchday duties is going around the suites [at St James' Park] with John Beresford. He is adamant that we'll finish top four. We had Nikos Dabizas in the suite and he is also adamant about top four. Dave McCreery is still a big Newcastle fan and he thinks top four.

"Everyone I've spoken to so far this season is super confident.

"I think we've got a great chance in [the League Cup] because our mentality towards the cups is really strong. Getting to that final against Manchester United has given us a taste.

"At the final stages of that game, we were losing but the fans made it such a spectacle. It's that kind of reaction from the fans that filters down onto the players who would love to provide that moment again."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

What did fans think in our poll on Wednesday? - check it out

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Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope hopes his experience will be a benefit to some of the younger players in the England team.

Pope made his England debut in 2018 and has won 10 caps, as well as being part of the past two World Cup squads.

"It's nice when you've been here before and you've got that experience," said the 32-year-old.

"Tino [Livramento] has come with me from the club, who is new into the squad, so to be able to help him in any way I can is nice, and I'm looking forward to using that experience - whether it's driving training or just speaking to the lads."

Pope's Newcastle team-mate Kieran Trippier will not be involved in England's upcoming Nations League games against Republic of Ireland and Finland, having recently announced his retirement from international football.

"It's a big hole to fill. He's a top player, a top professional and someone who has represented England at the top level for a long time," said Pope. "He can hold his head really high and be really proud of what he achieved."

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Newcastle's summer transfer targets were quite public, with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi being a key one for cover in that centre-half position, and Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga another one that they wanted.

It is difficult for a manager when you want to add to a small squad, which they have, and you are unable to bring in those players that you want.

Callum Wilson has been out for a long time and we know how important he has been for Newcastle. Sandro Tonali also had to serve his ban, but he is like a new signing for them now and a real breath of fresh air.

Then there has been all this talk around Kieran Trippier. The right-back brings leadership to the team and they look better when he is on the pitch. It would be a massive blow if he was to leave, so I do not understand why he is not playing.

If you look at Newcastle's backline, he was key to how they played. I think it has disrupted the team a bit by taking the captaincy away from him and making him the vice instead. It is a big thing to do.

But the reason why Newcastle have picked up seven points so far this season is because they have created a really good culture and togetherness within the team. That has happened since Eddie Howe joined. He has got players who work hard and sacrifice their own style of play to fit into what he wants. That is what we saw two seasons ago when they qualified for the Champions League.

Not having European football will help them this season with their hopes to finish in the top six and picking up points at home will be important. St James' Park is a nightmare for any team to visit because the fans are unbelievable and make it really difficult.

Newcastle will look to finish anywhere between fourth and sixth this season. They might have struggled last season in Europe - but they will certainly want to be back up there.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

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Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento has said club team-mate Kieran Trippier has been an immense help since his move to the Magpies, following his first England call-up.

The former Southampton defender told BBC Radio 5 Live: "He has been an immense help to me, not just football-wise, but helping me settle. It's tough when you move from a club which is furthest south to a club which is furthest north.

"He helped me get settled straight away and then on the pitch he's just a different level. [He is] someone who I look up to and watch every day in training, trying to take parts of their game into mine."

Livramento, 21, will hope to make his senior international debut in one of England's upcoming Nations League matches against Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Trippier - who has since retired from international football - were the right-back options in England's Euro 2024 squad, while others such as Reece James and Rico Lewis could also come into contention for that role.

"I think that just shows the quality coming through in every age group and now it has got to the seniors," added Livramento. "There are so many quality players in that position.

"Hopefully I get given an opportunity and then I will have to take it."

Listen to the full interview in Thursday's episode of Football Daily on BBC Sounds

A new Total Sport Newcastle United podcast episode is now available to listen to and download on BBC Sounds.

Raul Kohli is joined by Justin Lockwood to talk a positive start to the season in terms of results and where the Magpies need to improve after the international break.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Istanbul Basaksehir are one of four Turkish clubs who have made Newcastle a loan offer with an option to buy for 33-year-old ex-England defender Kieran Trippier. (Sky Sports, external)

Newcastle ended their pursuit of Crystal Palace's 24-year-old England defender Marc Guehi to show the club would not be taken advantage of during transfer windows. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

So we want you to predict where Newcastle United will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about their start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

Submit your prediction here

And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about Newcastle so far in the campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Matthew Raisbeck
BBC Radio Newcastle reporter

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Newcastle United have got most things right in the transfer market over the last three years, but this summer was undoubtedly a massive disappointment.

In July, chief executive Darren Eales said the club would "strengthen the squad within the headroom we have got". At that stage, they had already signed Lewis Hall permanently, brought in Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer and added two back-up goalkeepers.

But the only new face that followed after that was young forward William Osula from relegated Sheffield United.

There is lot of fan frustration and, for the first time since the takeover, some anger towards the club over their approach to transfers, particularly as many rival clubs did significant business.

Profit and sustainability rules were undoubtedly an issue, forcing a frantic end to the last Premier League financial year and young talents Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh sold for big money to ensure the club was compliant with the rules.

And, in that context, it is important to point out that despite interest from other clubs, the Magpies crucially managed to keep hold of their star players: Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon.

However, when they missed out on free agent Tosin Adarabioyo, who opted to join Chelsea, a problem arose: if they were intending to spend most of their budget on a forward, they would have to redirect some money into the search for a centre-back.

In the end - after a prolonged and very public pursuit of Marc Guehi, plus a late move towards Antony Elanga - they got neither.

Fans seem to be split on whether roughly £70m for the Crystal Palace defender represented value for money, but many are asking why Newcastle - who were clearly willing to spend the money - did not move on to other targets when the Guehi deal stalled.

Eddie Howe's response was that there is a relatively small number of players that Newcastle think can improve their starting XI and they cannot afford to make a mistake in the market because of PSR.

The Magpies have made an unbeaten start to the season and it can still be another exciting campaign, but the issues that were not addressed over the summer will still be apparent in January.

The club have put themselves under massive pressure to deliver next time and surely they cannot go through a third transfer window without making a major signing.

It would be good to hear from Eales and new sporting director Paul Mitchell, whose background is in player recruitment.

Hopefully, that will happen during the international break.

Listen to full commentary on every Newcastle United game, and have your say on the Magpies on Total Sport North East every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Newcastle.

And subscribe to the Total Sport Newcastle United Podcast on BBC Sounds

Charlotte Robson
Newcastle United Fan Writer

Sandro Tonali made his return to Premier League football this weekend after a 10-month ban, playing a part in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Spurs (who really did Spurs their way through that game). We have been warned against calling him “like a new signing” because that might suggest satisfaction with a deeply unsatisfactory transfer window but.. I mean...

Tonali actually returned to competitive football in the week, starting against Nottingham Forest for Newcastle in the League Cup. I think this start, away from home, actually was the perfect return - he was (literally, at the end) embraced by supporters but it meant there was a little less pressure on him at home. Giant flag display in the Gallowgate End of St James’ Park celebrating our ‘midfield maestro from Milano’ notwithstanding.

Tonali was brought on as a substitute for Sean Longstaff at around the 70-minute mark on Sunday and oh my goodness, what an upgrade. No disrespect to Longstaff, who I think most fans like and who has been incredibly consistent for his boyhood club and, in fact, scored our winning penalty in mid-week, but the ability Tonali has on the ball just elevated our game immediately.

We saw it in the Cup game and we saw it on Sunday. Tonali does not shy away from difficult passes, and can use his physicality to block two, even three opposition players from getting onto the ball. He also makes decisions quickly and has the skill to execute accurate passes to push the ball up the pitch. It’s hard not to be excited about his return and the impact he will have on the side this season (if he stays fit... big if, for Newcastle). He’s not a new signing. But he feels a bit like one.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Eyupspor are all interested in signing Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier, after Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad also tried to sign the 33-year-old. (Sky Sports), external

Newcastle will try to sign Nottingham Forest's 22-year-old Sweden winger Anthony Elanga again in future transfer windows. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle and Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

David: It was one of those games. Spurs did not take their chances and we punished them for it. They were the better team but grit and finishing got us through.

Nathan: I think there's something missing tactically for Newcastle - we shouldn't have that little of the ball. However this completely shows why our attacking players were linked with £50m+ and £100m+ moves because they are that good.

Ward: We took our chances and Spurs didn’t, plain and simple. Sandro Tonali made a big difference when he came on, stabilising the midfield and spreading the play. We’re still not clicking though and will be struggling when we have any injuries after a disappointing transfer window.

Nick: Seven points out of a possible nine is a fantastic start to the season, considering we’ve not been at our best. Lucky to beat Spurs but we got the job done and have a platform to build on for the rest of the season.

Spurs fans

Lol: We have to make our possession in the final third start to count. Hopefully Dominic Solanke and/or Richarlison can get fit quick and give us a bit more power through the middle. There was a cross from Brennan Johnson along the ground in the second half that was begging for a touch, but we had nobody anywhere near it.

Martin: Same old problems, which is deeply frustrating. No plan B and lack of conviction and belief. The manager has to shoulder a lot of the blame. We have a soft centre.

Roger: Same story - playing good football and dominating the game wins nothing if you keep bottling the final pass, cannot finish and then switch off defensively. Players need to stop thinking that they are better than they are and focus on concentrating in the key moments. Pretty football alone is not enough at this level. Johnson and Cristian Romero please note!

Keef: Let's not forget that Newcastle are a good side at home and we got beat there 4-0 last season and 5-1 before that. The lack of a natural striker on the pitch and bench did for us. We had more possession and chances, but as per last season we didn't make the most of them. Hopefully things will improve after the international break when Solanke is back.

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Mike asked: A Newcastle question for Phil - been a tough start but seven points and unbeaten. With Barnes and Tonali back, hopefully Willock and Schar back after the international break, can we have a little reset and start the season again?

Phil answered: It will certainly be good for Newcastle, and especially manager Eddie Howe, to focus on the football after all the debate around the failed pursuit of Crystal Palace defence Marc Guehi, lack of signings and speculation about key players like Anthony Gordon leaving.

The return of players of the calibre of Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali after missing so much of last season has already shown how important they are and Newcastle showed real character to get that result against Tottenham after periods fighting a rearguard action.

So yes, they have started the season well but they can also use this break just to calm everything down even more and for Howe to work with the collection of good players he already has.

Follow Phil's Q&A and the rest of Monday's football news here

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham

• Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool

Newcastle right-back Kieran Trippier might head to one of several interested clubs in Saudi Arabia, with the 33-year-old former England defender keen to leave the North East. (Sun), external

Newcastle have dismissed suggestions that Trippier wants to leave the club to move to Saudi Arabia or Turkey. (Talksport), external

Newcastle and Northern Ireland defender Jamal Lewis, 26, is closing in on a move to Brazilian club Sao Paulo. (Belfast Telegraph), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist at St James' Park

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Newcastle had frustrations in the transfer window, notably a failure to agree a deal with Crystal Palace to sign England defender Marc Guehi, with four offers going up to £65m rejected.

However, the return to Premier League action for Sandro Tonali will be like a new signing for boss Eddie Howe.

The 24-year-old Italy midfielder made his first appearance in the league since serving a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations and helped Newcastle scrape a vital, albeit fortunate, 2-1 victory over Tottenham.

When Tonali came on in the 68th minute, to a standing ovation as he replaced Sean Longstaff, the game was in the balance at 1-1, with Spurs piling on the pressure.

But Tonali and fellow substitute Jacob Murphy helped swing the game in Newcastle's favour, with Alexander Isak getting a 78th-minute winner.

"We were in need of a spark and I thought he [Tonali] gave us that," said Howe, who said he did not know the home fans were going to produce a host of Italy-themed flags, along with a banner that said 'Midfield maestro from Milano'.

"I didn't know that was going to happen with the wall of flags so it was a brilliant surprise - visually it was incredible," added Howe.

"Sandro was emotional and his performance when he came on was outstanding. It was just amazing from the fans, it does not surprise me, but it's so important that the relationship between players and supporters is so strong."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe speaking to Sky Sports: "I think it's always important to try to build momentum in your season and it's been a turbulent time for the club off the pitch throughout this last transfer window.

"But that's shut now, so hopefully we can just concentrate on the football and get the players playing as well as they can."

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Newcastle United have won both of their first two home matches of a league season for the first time since 2009-10 in the Championship, and first time in the Premier League since 2000-01.