The 2015-16 season shapes-up as a new era for Newcastle United under Steve McClaren. Outside90’s Anthony Margaretic looks at five players who will be playing a crucial part in the revolution of the Geordies.
Tim Krul
The Dutch custodian had a season to forget last time around, suffering injury and a loss of form as the Magpies battled with the drop. Krul will be the first to admit that he was performing below par and he will be eager to prove why he became one of the better shot-stoppers in the Premier League as he seeks to re-capture his form from early 2011, when he cemented himself as the club’s undisputed No.1. Krul only kept eight clean sheets in 30 appearances last term, and whilst a lot of the blame can be placed on the poor defense in front of him, more shut-outs are needed this season if Newcastle are to push on to bigger and better things.
Daryl Janmaat
In what was a disappointing campaign, the performances of Dutch right-back Daryl Janmaat were a shining light. The then 25-year-old was signed as a replacement for Arsenal-bound Mathieu Debuchy, and he adjusted to life in the Premier League swimmingly, proving to be a valuable asset defensively as well as going forward. Janmaat was very quick to show why is the Netherlands first choice right-back and why big clubs such as Manchester United have believed to be interested in his services. The Dutchman is expected to once again be a handy player for Newcastle this season.
Chancel Mbemba
When Mike Williamson is getting regular game time, you know that you have limited defensive stocks, which is why the signing of 20-year-old defender Chancel Mbemba is a big one for Newcastle. The Congolese international, who has been dubbed the “new Vincent Kompany”, will be playing in the heart of defence along side Fabricio Coloccini (unless another top class centre-half arrives) and after the Magpies were on the end of some ugly score lines last season, his main job will be to plug the defensive hole that has too often been exploited in the years gone by. It appears Newcastle have a very astute defender on their hands in Mbemba, and he is sure to be much more reliable than Williamson.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Keeping with the Dutch trend, the new arrival from PSV Eindhoven for £14.5million will provide a much needed creative spark in the Newcastle midfield. The 24-year-old boasts a goal in the World Cup against Brazil on his resume and also netted 14 goals in 33 appearances last season in the Eredivisie. An outstanding record for a midfielder and someone of his calibre will play a vital part in the resurgence of Newcastle this season. His form in preseason has been encouraging, scoring in friendly matches against the Portland Timbers and Sheffield United. If this is a sign of what is to come in 2015-16 then the Toon army have a very special player on their hands.
Aleksandr Mitrovic
For quite some time now, the fans of Newcastle have been crying out for a striker who can find the back of the net on a regular basis. Papiss Cisse can be a hit and miss, Ayoze Perez has a bright future but can not be heavily relied on at his age, and Emmanuel Riviere’s record of one goal last season indicates he is not capable of becoming a Geordie legend. Newcastle desperately need a goal scorer. Enter Aleksandr Mitrovic, the 20-year-old averaged a goal every two games for Anderlecht last season. Whilst some of the Toon’s foreign signings over the years have had their passion for the club questioned, this will not be the case for Mitrovic, who has said that he supported Newcastle as a child and “worshipped Alan Shearer.” It seems Newcastle not just have a player who has talent, but also a player that genuinely cares about the club, and if Mitrovic is anything like his idol, fans will be in for a very special treat.
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Honourable mentions to Rolando Aarons, Siem De Jong and Jack Colback. Aarons has shown glimpses of talent when fit. After an injury stricken season last time around the winger is expected to be fully fit this campaign and should get regular game time. Similarly, De Jong also battled injury last season, but still impressed in the small amount of game time he got, including a nicely hit volley against Swansea in April. The Dutchman is also fully fit ahead of the new season. As for Colback, he is arguably the most passionate player in the squad and he will never leave anything in the change rooms, his grit in the heart of midfield will be crucial for Newcastle this season.
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