Newcastle United have not had it easy in the transfer market.
While spending across the Premier League is down this summer, things have been rather slow for Newcastle thus far.
Three signings have arrived of course, although Eddie Howe’s squad hardly looks much stronger than it did last season, albeit players being free from injury does beef up numbers somewhat.
Two of the signings have come in goal. One of those is John Ruddy, who may never actually play for the first-team anyway.
With that in mind, there’s a relative amount of pressure on Lloyd Kelly. Hailed as “outstanding” during his time with Bournemouth, Howe openly admitted his defence needs work after the end of last season, meaning Kelly must hit the ground running.
The defender arrived on a free transfer from the Cherries and made his debut during the pre-season friendly defeat to Yokohama F Marinos in Tokyo on Saturday.
Speaking after the game, Howe talked up Kelly’s first appearance clad in black and white.
Eddie Howe gives view of Lloyd Kelly’s Newcastle debut
Asked whether or not the 25-year-old would be in line to start against Southampton in the Premier League opener later this month, Howe said (via The Chronicle): “I believe so and I thought he did well.
“A composed debut. I was pleased for him. I was pleased with certain aspects. Certain individuals did very well but team wise today I thought we were off where we have been.”
Newcastle have high hopes for Lloyd Kelly
Kelly is perhaps not the headline addition many would have expected Newcastle to make this summer, but that does not make him a bad signing.
Indeed, experienced in the Premier League and familiar with Howe’s methods after their time together on the south coast, signing him on a free makes a huge amount of sense.
In fact, those behind the scenes are reportedly of the belief that Howe can yield further improvements out of the player too.
Able to operate at left-back and in central defence, it’ll be fascinating to see where Kelly lines up against the Saints.
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