In Focus: Brilliant Botman key to Magpies rearguard resilience

Newcastle have been rock-solid at the back this season and the Magpies have the brilliant performances of Sven Botman to thank. 

The Dutchman has been imperious in the air and impeccable on the ground since arriving from Lille for around £35million in the summer. 

His displays have helped the Tynesiders mount a surprise challenge for Champions League qualification, sitting inside the top four ahead of Matchday 21. 

As Newcastle prepare to face Crystal Palace later today, we look at what Botman brings to Eddie Howe's side.

Landing from Lille

Newcastle were forced to battle hard in the transfer market in order to bring Botman to St James' Park. 

Serie A champions AC Milan were also believed to be keen on the centre-back but the Magpies flexed their financial muscles to compete with the Rossoneri — and ultimately won the race for his signature. 

The Badhoevedorp native had enjoyed an impressive two-year spell in France with Lille, turning heads across Europe with his eye-catching performances. 

That Ligue 1 experience, coupled with his Ajax academy training, has helped the 23-year-old become the well-rounded defender he is today.

No ceiling

Ahead of Newcastle's 4-1 win over Southampton in November, Howe refused to rule out the possibility of Botman developing into one of the Premier League's best-ever central defenders. 

He said: "I would not be here saying Sven can't do anything, because that would be wrong of me. 

"He has the tools to be as good as any other centre-half talked about in Premier League history. 

"I'm not saying those names, I'm just saying I wouldn't put a ceiling on what he can achieve. He's got everything, in my view, I don't see a weakness in his game. 

"Of course, he's very young, he's only had a handful of games in the Premier League, so he hasn't had the longevity that he needs to say that over a longer period of time and that's the challenge for him, to hit those consistent levels that he needs to. 

"On the ball, he is outstanding. Technically, he is very high level and can play short and long passes. He has all the tools. 

"He has got an understanding very quickly and picked up the pace of the Premier League very quickly, the physicality."

Clean sheets

Newcastle currently boast the Premier League's best defensive record — and it has been five matches since their rearguard was breached. 

The Magpies have only conceded 11 goals in their 19 top flight fixtures, keeping 11 clean sheets in the process. 

Eight of those 11 clean sheets were kept with Botman on the pitch, while his team have only shipped eight goals in his 17 appearances. 

Howe's side have defended well as a unit — but Botman certainly deserves credit for his contribution to the cause.

An imposing figure

Botman may not be quite as large as team-mate Dan Burn — whose 6ft 6in frame earned him the moniker 'Big Dan Burn' — but the Dutchman is still an imposing figure at 6ft 4in. 

The Netherlands Under-21 international uses his height to great effect, recording 20 headed clearances and winning 31 aerial duels in league matches to date. 

Those numbers paint a picture of a defender who is both adept at using his head and capable of holding his own in physical battles. 

He is also unafraid to simply get the ball out of the danger zone when required, as evidenced by his 53 completed clearances.

Ball-playing centre-back

Despite his willingness to clear the ball, it would be remiss to style Botman as anything other than a technically proficient, ball-playing centre-back. 

No Newcastle player can boast a better passing accuracy in the Premier League than his 86.54%. 

And that statistic is not skewed by a low sample size — the Dutchman has attempted 743 passes so far this season. 

As a naturally left-footed player, he brings balance to the Magpies' approach play from deep. 

Add these technical qualities to his rugged, defensive ones and it is clear to see why Newcastle pushed so hard to secure his signature. 

There is little doubt that Botman has been one of this season's shrewdest acquisitions.