Ketsbaia’s Kick-Off Klub
Since landing in Singapore, Eddie Howe’s squad have thrown themselves into a busy but valuable few days.
For the first time in a long time, there is the outline of a leadership spine. But it will mean nothing unless these individuals are trusted and empowered to act.
For a club that has seen its fair share of dark days under Mike Ashley’s ownership, Papiss Cissé was a burst of sunlight. His first season was a dream, an outlier in a time often defined by frustration and false dawns. That it couldn’t be sustained is almost beside the point.
When news broke earlier this week that Alexander Isak was keen to “explore his options” this summer, the reaction among Newcastle United supporters was a blend of surprise and resignation.
If Isak does go this summer, Newcastle will need to be bold, creative, and ruthless in identifying the next focal point for their attack. But replacing a Rolls-Royce forward with a service-dependent target man would be a step backwards.
Newcastle has a proud tradition of enigmatic French left wingers. David Ginola had the hair, the glamour, the touch of magic. Hatem Ben Arfa had the feet, the arrogance, and the chaos. Allan Saint-Maximin had the flair, the dribbling, and the Gucci headband. But none of them, none struck fear like Laurent Robert.
Losing Isak would mean losing a rare, multi-dimensional striker entering his prime, and for all Newcastle’s upward trajectory under Eddie Howe and the PIF project, replacing him adequately is non-negotiable. Which is why, if they are to go bold, and they must, Lautaro Martínez should be front and centre of the conversation.
Openda is not a like-for-like with Isak. But he’s a disruption tool. A player who could dovetail with Gordon, Barnes and Elanga or even a second striker like Wissa in a 4-4-2. He’s the kind of chaos agent who, given structure and support, might just explode.
In the spring of 2023, Newcastle United were flying. A top-four finish was no longer a pipe dream but a near-certainty, and the defensive unit, anchored by a stoic, commanding presence at left centre-back, had become the bedrock of Eddie Howe’s transformation. That presence was Sven Botman.
Newcastle United’s pre-season tour of Asia has kicked off without their star striker, and, it now seems, perhaps their brightest hope for the season ahead.