Malick Thiaw has quickly established himself as a key player at Newcastle United.
He was one of six senior signings to arrive at St James’ Park, and he has undoubtedly been the best.
While Nick Woltemade has impressed for Newcastle United, he has not been on Malick Thiaw’s level. That is no disrespect to the 23-year-old, more an appraisal of just how well the defender has done since his £34million arrival from AC Milan.
Eddie Howe is impressed by Thiaw’s start at Newcastle, admitting it feels like he has been at the club longer than he has.
That is a feeling shared by members of the Newcastle United coaching staff.
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Newcastle United staff shocked by Malick Thiaw’s fast start
In three months, Thiaw has made himself undroppable at St James’ Park. He has started 13 games in a row for Eddie Howe’s side, which speaks volumes regarding how quickly he has adapted to life on Tyneside.
According to the i Paper, Newcastle United’s coaches are actually surprised by how quickly Thiaw has gotten up to speed in the Premier League.
While Newcastle obviously had confidence in Thiaw’s ability, they did not expect him to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s best and most consistent defenders in such a short space of time.
His start to life in English football won him a recall to the Germany squad, with Thiaw now dreaming of representing his country at the 2026 World Cup alongside Toon teammate Woltemade.
This is why Newcastle United fans already love Malick Thiaw so much.
Malick Thiaw has followed in Sven Botman’s Newcastle United footsteps
It is easy to draw comparisons between Thiaw’s start at Newcastle United and Sven Botman’s.
He arrived from Lille for a similar fee in 2022, but was not immediately thrust into the starting XI by Eddie Howe.
An illness to Matt Targett gave him an opening three years ago, in the same way that Fabian Schar’s concussion against Barcelona created a vacancy for Thiaw to come into the side.
From that moment, Botman did not look back. He quickly became a key player for the Magpies, in the same way that Thiaw has.
They have both been wonderful signings, with Botman and Thiaw set to be Newcastle’s centre-backs for the foreseeable future.
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