Eddie Howe has the biggest selection headache of his Newcastle career vs Everton

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Eddie Howe shuffled his Newcastle deck for the trip to Chelsea on Sunday, and now has some big decisions to make.

The Magpies made four changes to the team that beat Southampton, with Javi Manquillo, Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Longstaff and Miguel Almiron coming into the starting XI.

Emil Krafth, Joe Willock, Jonjo Shelvey and Ryan Fraser dropped out, and they’ll all be hoping to return against Everton on Thursday.

Newcastle also had Allan Saint-Maximin in reserve at Stamford Bridge. The Frenchman hasn’t started since the 1-0 win against Aston Villa in February.

Then there’s Joelinton, who has missed the previous two games with a knock. He could return to the conversation at Goodison Park.

Howe has a huge selection headache on Thursday – it could be the toughest team selection of his Newcastle tenure.

This is the kind of problem Eddie Howe wanted at Newcastle

Competition for places is always a good thing, and that’s exactly what Howe has got.

With new signings and improving players, we have multiple options all over the pitch. Midfield will be Howe’s biggest issue, with five players vying for three positions. That’s assuming we revert back to 4-3-3 after playing five at the back at Chelsea.

Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes impressed at Stamford Bridge, and the latter will certainly be hoping to make his third start in a row. But who should he play alongside?

Our midfield three for most of our impressive unbeaten run was Willock, Shelvey and Joelinton. So if Bruno starts, one of that trio will have to miss out. I don’t envy Howe having to make that decision.

Offensively, things get a little easier. Ryan Fraser was rested against Chelsea, but is surely nailed on to return to the starting XI. Almiron didn’t really impress in his absence.

Then it all depends on whether or not Saint-Maximin is fit to start. He tormented Everton last time out, and can hopefully do the same in the away fixture.

Regardless of who Howe picks, he should have a strong bench with plenty of options, full of players who have impressed in recent weeks.

Howe has a huge selection dilemma on his hands this week, but it’s a nice problem to have.