In a recent episode of The Everything is Black and White Podcast, Simon Bird from The Mirror discussed Newcastle’s transfer priorities and emphasized the need for a new winger. Bird pointed out the current situation and potential candidates for the position.
Simon Bird said, “Bringing in a new winger must be top of the list when the window reopens. It feels a bit five years ago, doesn’t it? It feels a bit stale in that position, and it clearly is a position they’re looking at for January and the summer. It needs refreshing. I think Murphy will probably stick around because he can produce the goods, but I don’t know if he’s a player who takes Newcastle to a whole new level. I think he can do a good job for now. So it is a position they’ve got to look at, and it’s got to be a priority.”
Bird considered the current options available to Newcastle, noting the preferences of certain players. He highlighted how the right-wing position might need an upgrade based on the strengths and desires of existing wingers in the squad.
Simon Bird said, “You can play Anthony Gordon there, you can play Harvey Barnes there, and shuffle them around, but Eddie Howe has said the other day to us that he knows Barnes and Gordon both want to play on the left wing, and that’s the best position for both of them. Meaning the right wing has got to be an upgrade.”
Bird also referenced players from other teams, noting a couple who have impressed early in the Premier League season. He argued for a particular type of player that would be beneficial for Newcastle.
Simon Bird said, “The Premier League season has kicked off with a couple of wingers catching the eye, including Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo – who have scored eight goals between them. They need someone who is really powerful. They’ve got kind of diminutive right wingers. I’d like to see someone with a bit of power up there on the right wing. It’s a big money position as well, isn’t it? You really want to discover someone like Semenyo. He’s had like a slow-burning journey through the leagues – you didn’t know whether he was going to make it or not. It would be quite good if Newcastle could find someone like that who could make an impact rather than buying ready-made from one of the midtable sides.”
The Everything is Black and White Podcast is an award-winning Newcastle United show that provides a minimum of six episodes for free each week and is also available on YouTube.