Premier League team guide: Newcastle in the spotlight

Newcastle will play Champions League football for the first time in 20 years this season but must not let that distract them from continuing to progress in the Premier League.

Eddie Howe's side made enormous strides to finish fourth last term and another top-six finish would represent a decent effort. 

The Magpies have perhaps been quieter than expected in the transfer window but have still added the quality and depth that will allow them to compete on all fronts.

Last season: Fourth

Newcastle produced their highest finish in 20 years in their first full season under new ownership.

Howe's team only won one of their first seven matches but followed that up with eight wins in nine to establish themselves in the top-four race.

Another run of eight victories in nine in March and April helped cement Champions League qualification, with Callum Wilson scoring 11 goals in his last 12 appearances of the campaign.

The season also featured a run to the Carabao Cup final, which Toon lost 2-0 to Manchester United.

New faces

The club's biggest outlay so far this summer was on midfielder Sandro Tonali, who signed from AC Milan for a reported £55million.

He has won 14 caps for Italy and featured heavily in Milan's run to the Champions League semi-finals last season.

Harvey Barnes, the kind of attacker Howe has had great success with in the past, was snapped up from Leicester for £38m after finishing a disappointing 2022-23 campaign for the club as their top goalscorer.

Promising full-back Tino Livramento is Newcastle's third first-team addition, signing from Southampton to provide competition for Kieran Trippier.

One to watch: Alexander Isak

After a promising debut campaign at St James' Park, it feels about time for Alexander Isak to explode.

Isak scored 10 league goals last season, with his quick feet and precise finishing drawing comparisons to Thierry Henry.

And the Swede's superb assist for Jacob Murphy during the 4-1 win over Everton in April was a reminder that he can be just as devastating playing off the left flank as he is through the middle.

Impressing on the European stage is the inevitable next step.

The boss

Howe has become the latest iconic manager in Newcastle's recent history, following in the footsteps of Kevin Keegan, Bobby Robson and Rafa Benitez.

Just as meaningful as the club's transfer business in their recent success is the manager's ability to improve the players he inherited, with Fabian Schar, Joelinton, Joe Willock, Jacob Murphy and Callum Wilson all impressing under his watch.

The signings of Livramento and Barnes fit the mould of player he likes to work with — young and with room to improve.

Juggling European football will provide a new test and Howe would do well to consolidate Newcastle's position towards the top of the Premier League while inspiring a run to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

All information correct as of August 10, 2023