Any Newcastle United supporters who were worried about what the Matthias Jaissle era may bring the club had their concerns eased by the performance against Liverpool on Sunday.
The Magpies were a stoppage time penalty away from securing an impressive 2-1 victory against Andoni Iraola’s side, after goals from Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock had twice given them the lead.
It was an eye-catching display from the home team at St. James’ Park as Jaissle’s men looked full of energy and endeavour going forward, causing plenty of problems for the opposition’s defence.
The 4-2-3-1 system deployed by the German created some interesting attacking dynamics and helped Yoane Wissa, in particular, to shine on the opening day.
How Jaissle’s system is getting the best out of Wissa
He played a crucial role in the game for the Magpies with his performance in the number ten position, with a terrific run, twisting and turning past several defenders, to provide Willock with the assist for the second goal.
It was not a performance that was expected from the DR Congo international, though, after he struggled in his first season at St. James’ Park after a £55m transfer from Brentford last summer.
|
25/26 Premier League |
Yoane Wissa |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
19 |
|
xG |
3.12 |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Key passes per game |
0.2 |
|
Big chances created |
1 |
|
Assists |
1 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
25% |
|
Aerial duel success rate |
43% |
He did not fit the demands of playing as a number nine in Eddie Howe’s system, as he lost the majority of his duels and failed to get involved in matches, which is why the change in management has benefitted him.
Jaissle’s 4-2-3-1 formation allows Wissa to play in the number ten position. That means that he can avoid competing in as many physical duels with defenders and, instead, focus on offering dynamism and quality on the ball.
His impressive showing against Liverpool, completing 100% of his dribbles, providing one assist, and taking four shots, shows that the German boss is already getting the best out of the attacker, who looks to be thriving with less physical responsibility on his shoulders.
How Newcastle can sign the perfect partner for Wissa
Now, the club are looking at a player who could arrive at St. James’ Park as the perfect partner for Wissa to play alongside at the top end of the pitch this season.
According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle United are one of a number of teams in the hunt to sign Chelsea centre-forward Liam Delap before next week’s transfer deadline.
The report claims that Everton, Leeds United, and Nottingham Forest are the other Premier League sides in the race to land the former England U21 international this summer.
It adds that the ex-Ipswich Town striker is expected to move on from Stamford Bridge before the end of the transfer window, as Xabi Alonso looks to reshape his squad after taking the job.
The 23-year-old forward, recently revealed to be valued at £50m by Chelsea by journalist Ben Jacobs, would be a terrific addition to Jaissle’s squad as a dynamic and physical number nine.
Whilst he struggled at Chelsea last term, scoring two goals, his performances for Ipswich in the Premier League in the 2024/25 campaign show that he could be the perfect foil for Wissa at St. James’ Park.
| 24/25 Premier League | Delap | Rank vs STs |
|---|---|---|
| xG | 9.34 | Top 32% |
| Goals | 12 | Top 20% |
| Chances created | 21 | Top 30% |
| xA | 1.40 | Top 32% |
| Duels won | 157 | Top 6% |
| Aerial duels won | 58 | Top 20% |
| Aerial duel success rate | 43.3% | Top 40% |
| Fouls won | 51 | Top 8% |
Delap scored 12 goals from 9.34 xG for the Tractor Boys as they were relegated from the top-flight that term, which is what earned him a £30m to Stamford Bridge last year.
His goal return for Ipswich shows that he can offer goals on a regular basis when starting regularly in the division, after he only scored once in 12 starts for Chelsea last season.
It is his physical data for Ipswich, though, that suggests that he would be the perfect centre-forward to play ahead of Wissa, as he is a physical
Delap is a striker who can occupy defenders and win his duels, as shown by the fact that he ranked in the top 6% of forwards for duels won in the Premier League at Ipswich, and that makes him ideal to play as Jaissle’s number nine.
The Englishman can provide the physical presence that Wissa lacks with his ability to get ahead of defenders on the ground and in the air, whilst also having the goalscoring prowess to carry a threat in the final third.
Therefore, Wissa would love it if Newcastle sign Delap before the deadline because it would reduce the chances of him being needed to play further forward, allowing him to focus on excelling in his new position as a number ten.
