Eddie Howe couldn’t help but chuckle when asked about his off-season – but the Newcastle boss quickly admitted there was little humour behind it.
“I was going to give the stock answer,” he said. “But it has been stressful…”
That might be putting it mildly. Newcastle entered the summer without a chief executive or sporting director – a situation Howe described as “not ideal.”
Darren Eales stepped down last autumn for health reasons and is yet to be replaced, while Paul Mitchell confirmed his exit in May.
In the market, the Magpies have seen several pursuits fall short, missing out on Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, and goalkeeper James Trafford.
Meanwhile, top scorer Alexander Isak is training away from the squad as he pushes for a move to Liverpool, who had a £110m offer rejected earlier this month.
‘Not healthy’ situation with Isak
For Howe, the Swedish striker’s absence is more than just a tactical problem — it has also affected the dressing room.
“I don’t think it’s been healthy for us,” Howe admitted. “I don’t deny that’s been a big challenge.
“Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world — if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap.”
With the situation still unresolved, Newcastle must prepare for their Premier League opener against Aston Villa without him. Howe acknowledged that early pre-season morale took a hit but says the squad has now adapted.
“I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season,” he said. “There was nothing I could do to affect that — it was always going to be there.
“When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it’s difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what’s going on and how to react.
“But, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation. That’s always been my train of thought.
“Whatever situation you’re in, you have got to find a way and you can only control what you can control. We have moved forward and I’ve got to say the atmosphere of the group has been very good in the last couple of weeks.”
Late transfer progress
Before this week, only Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had arrived. But momentum has picked up with the addition of AC Milan centre-back Malick Thiaw and advanced talks for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey in a £40m move.
“I’m really excited by Malick,” Howe said. “I think he is a great age. He’s full of potential and the best of his career is yet to come.
“He’s an imposing character. He’s 6ft 4in, quick, athletic, good on the ball. Those types of players are very rare to find. He’s a good character as well so I’m very excited by what he can bring.
“I like all our signings. Anthony will bring his unique mix of pace, speed and creativity. Aaron is a real character. We have known him for a long time, but he’s a very good goalkeeper.
“I’m still hoping for more. I think we need more. We have got some big gaps within the squad still.”
Howe confirmed that replacing Callum Wilson – who left when his contract expired – remains a priority, with centre-forward now a “cause for concern” given the Isak situation.
“We have been looking to replace Callum for some time,” he said. “He was such a good servant for us and, of course, we have had issues with Alex’s situation this year so that position is definitely a cause for concern.”
Hunger for more success
Brentford striker Yoane Wissa is among the options Newcastle are considering. For now, Anthony Gordon is expected to lead the line against Villa – not an ideal scenario, but Howe remains focused on building from last season’s progress, which saw Champions League qualification and a first major domestic trophy in 70 years.
“When you experience that and you have the feeling of winning, you think it’s going to be great but, let me tell you, the experience is even better than I thought it would be,” he said. “It does make you hungrier for more.
“It does make you appreciate the role you’re doing, the job you’re doing, and the ability to affect the people around Newcastle in the way we did.
“Our appetites are whetted. We’re desperate for more success but we know how difficult it is and we know the challenge that awaits us with every team in the Premier League getting better and stronger. We’re going to have to do the same.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
