Newcastle United are once again fighting relegation this season, plagued with injuries it appears Steve McClaren’s task for the season will be to simply avoid the drop.
It is clear to see that their squad possesses a lot of talent. But when all players are fully fit, who should be in the starting XI?
Goalkeeper - Tim Krul
This is a no brainer. Despite Rob Elliot doing a solid job since covering for Krul, it is clear to see that the Dutchman is Newcastle’s best choice for their number one.
Still young for a goalkeeper, the 27-year-old has already racked up over 150 league appearances for Newcastle.
The Dutch international has only managed to appear eight times this season due to injury, but has saved 33 shots in that time. Meaning he has averaged 4.1 saves a game this season, 0.9 better than Elliot’s average.
Right back - Daryl Janmaat
Another easy decision, the 26-year-old doesn’t have much competition for his place in the side, in fact there isn’t another recognised right back in the Newcastle first team, meaning that if the Dutchman is injured long term, McClaren might have to experiment with his squad to fill that gap.
Not only a strong defender, Janmaat has been a potent attacking force for his team and seeing him charge down the right hand side has been something that the Geordies have enjoyed.
The former Feyenoord man has bagged three assists this season from right back, more than Branislav Ivanovic, Matteo Darmian, Nathaniel Clyne and puts him level with Bacary Sagna.
Right centre back – Chancel Mbemba
Newcastle’s side doesn’t seem to be blessed with quality defensive talents. Even the previously mentioned Janmaat’s best attributes are based around his offensive play.
Nonetheless, Mbemba gets the nod into this side. The Congolese international has great experience to say he is only 21-years of age. The former Anderlecht man has now played in two different leagues and has represented his country at the African Cup of Nations.
Mbemba does have the physical presence required to play in the Premier League, already showing that he has a good mix of pace and strength. Averaging just under three tackles and three interceptions every game for Newcastle, it looks like he will be a mainstay in the Magpie’s back four.
Left centre back – Fabricio Coloccini
The Argentine has been somewhat of a polarising figure up on Tyneside. With many citing the strong career he has forged at Newcastle, but many also suggesting that at 34-years of age, Coloccini has lost his touch.
Yet he is without a doubt the main choice at the back for McClaren. Coloccini has played every single game in the Premier League this season and doesn’t look like he’ll be dropping out of the side any time soon.
Left back – Paul Dummett
Again, this comes down to lack of options with Massadio Haidara the only other recognised left back. Take nothing away from Dummett, he is a good player in his own right. Yet the Wales international has taken six years and two loan spells to manage to hold down a solid place in the Newcastle back line.
Dummett recently made headlines with his thunderbolt strike that levelled a thrilling 3-3 game against Manchester United and the Newcastle support will be hoping to see more impressive moments from him if he is to keep that left back spot.
The defence didn’t show too much quality but there is definitely some potential in there for Newcastle to build their team from. Now we move onto the midfield, staying true to the 4-4-2 formation that has been seen at St. James’ Park so often this season.
Right midfielder – Moussa Sissoko
One of the more successful French signings, Sissoko has proven to be a powerhouse whether he plays in the centre or on the wing.
In this team he is on the right flank because how impressive he drives forward on the wing and the quality of delivery he can produce. Not to mention the lethal partnership he can develop with Janmaat.
The French international has bagged five assists this term and is a constant thorn in the side of any defence. If Newcastle can keep hold of the former Toulouse midfielder, he can be a real star for them in years to come.
Deep lying centre midfielder – Jonjo Shelvey
Shelvey may be new to the Newcastle squad but he certainly gives his side something different. There is no player that can quite effectively combine defensive ability with real creative flair. Which is why Shelvey gets the deep lying role in this team.
If the former Swansea man is deployed deeper in midfield it allows him to make the covering challenges he so relishes but also gives him free reign to hit long and short range passes.
It was his long distance passing that seemed so crucial to helping Newcastle create the two goals needed to defeat West Ham in Shelvey’s debut.
The difference that the 23-year-old brings to the side is Premier League experience, a lot of the signings that Newcastle make lack this, and it negatively effects their league position. Shelvey can now add steel to the Magpies midfield, and without a doubt gets into the best XI.
Attacking midfielder – Georginio Wijnaldum
Newcastle’s leading scorer has to be in the side, with nine goals and three assists he is without a doubt McClaren’s best attacking option.
Playing in England is something that most foreign footballer’s dream of doing, trying to prove they belong in the best league in the world. Yet when Wijnaldum swapped potential title challenges at PSV for a relegation scrap with Newcastle, there were questions asked as to whether or not he could rise to the occasion.
The Dutch international has certainly risen to the occasion, with some touting him as the potential signing of the season. Who could forget one of the best performances from one man this term as he scored four goals in one game in the 6-2 demolition of Norwich.
Left midfielder – Andros Townsend
The newest recruit at St James’ Park certainly has a reputation, often described as a loan system success, Townsend broke into the Tottenham side after being loaned out nine times. Eventually going on to represent England.
He certainly has a point to prove, his performances with Spurs were not always quality, and has recently fallen out of favour with Mauricio Pochettino. Because of his lack of game time, many have claimed his £12 million price tag is overpriced and that Newcastle could have had better value for money if they looked at signing someone else.
However there is no doubt that with the options McClaren has on the left flank, Townsend is certainly the strongest performer. Fans will be hoping they see displays like the impressive shows he’s put on in an England shirt rather than a Tottenham shirt.
Striker – Aleksandar Mitrovic
The striking situation at St. James’ Park is not ideal. The Magpies are without a known goal scorer, and now rely on 21-year-old Mitrovic.
The Serbian arrived with a big reputation having been prolific in his time at Anderlecht at such a young age, many saw him as a future star up front. But Newcastle needed a star striker immediately, and so far Mitrovic hasn’t had the time to develop.
Mitrovic will get the starting place based on his aerial strength, with crosses now being swung in from Townsend on the left hand side as well as Sissoko on the right, the former Anderlecht man will surely score more goals.
Striker – Ayoze Perez
Perez has proven he has quality, the Spaniard isn’t the most consistent scorer but he certainly provides Newcastle with technique up front.
The 22-year-old doesn’t possess the physical presence that Mitrovic has, but he can rely on his striking partner to bully off defenders and create space.
What Perez can bring is dribbling and finishing ability. The former Tenerife man has shown in his short time on Tyneside that he can run past players with and without the ball, talent that has seen him linked with the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United.
The two men together will hopefully build a strong relationship together and help bring the best out of each other. The famed “one big, one small” partnership that has so long been used might be a welcome addition to a league that has become so saturated by single striker formations.