Any expectations of Newcastle United achieving immediate success in the 2026/27 season may need to be put on hold after the summer transfer business.
Matthias Jaissle arrived after Eddie Howe’s appointment, subsequently tasked with the challenge of leading the Magpies into the next generation.
The board approved the big-money sales of numerous key senior members of the first-team, opting to invest such funds into young talents who can develop in the future.
However, it’s already clear that none of the new arrivals have so far been able to replace the quality of one player who constantly starred at St James’ Park.
How Newcastle failed to replace Anthony Gordon this summer
Losing Alexander Isak in the summer of 2025 was always going to be a bitter blow for Newcastle, with the Swede a player who often led the line on Tyneside.
However, despite assuming the role of being the club’s talisman last campaign, winger Anthony Gordon followed suit and departed during the recent window.
The Englishman, who netted 17 goals across all competitions last term, left in a deal worth £69m including add-ons to join Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
As a result, the Magpies have been left short in attacking areas, that’s despite the big-money additions of Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Bazoumana Touré.
The latter of the aforementioned duo arrived from Hoffenheim for a reported £42m, but has failed to start any of the first five league games this term – with Jaissle preferring other options in attack.
|
PL mins played by Newcastle signings |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
PL minutes |
|
Lukáš Horníček |
450 |
|
Amar Dedić |
328 |
|
Sean Steur |
225 |
|
Nico González |
167 |
|
Matias Fernández-Pardo |
159 |
|
Bazoumana Touré |
50 |
|
Aladji Bamba |
27 |
As for Fernandez-Pardo, he’s featured centrally after his own summer move, but has also failed to find the back of the net despite costing a reported £59m.
Both players are undoubtedly young prospects with huge futures ahead of them, but in the immediate future, it appears as though Jaissle is yet to be convinced by the duo.
How Newcastle have found their answer to Gordon
As was the case with Isak, replacing a player who registered such a hefty number of goals was always going to be a tricky ask for Newcastle during the summer window.
However, it’s not just the goalscoring ability which made Gordon so influential; it was his marauding presence and creativity in forward areas which made him so crucial.
Toure and Fernandez-Pardo could likely provide such qualities in the years ahead, but at present, they look a step away from the quality needed to impress in the Premier League.
Despite their slow starts to life on Tyneside, other additions have already made an immediate impact, with full-back Amar Dedic already proving to be money well spent.
The Bosnian international arrived from Benfica for a reported £30m, in an attempt to bolster the quality and depth available to Jaissle in the right-back department.
Whilst his primary responsibility is to stop goals going in his own goal, the 24-year-old has seemingly made it his own ambition to have a positive impact at the other end.
During the first few weeks of his time on Tyneside, the big-money addition has immediately caught the eye with his efforts in attacking areas – with his stats backing up his impressive performances.
Dedic already has three assists to his name during his first six appearances for the Magpies, subsequently laying on a goal contribution in every other game he’s featured in.
In the Premier League, his underlying stats further showcase his talent in forward areas, as he’s already provided an average of 0.8 successful crosses per 90.
Whilst such a figure may not seem impressive, it places him in the top 25% of all full-backs in Europe, subsequently picking out a teammate with 75% of his efforts.
The full-back has already managed to emulate Gordon’s marauding nature in possession, as seen with his impressive tally of 1.1 successful dribbles per 90.
Like his crossing figures, such a tally places him in the top 20% of all full-backs in the Premier League and further highlights his top-level quality in attacking areas.
After losing Gordon and spending so heavily on his replacement, it will be disappointing to Jaissle that none of the additions have matched the expectations they arrived with.
However, it all balances out with Dedic’s immediate impact, with his quality with the ball allowing the Magpies to have yet another talented option entering the final third from deep areas.
