Newcastle United have some superstar names in their squad, yet it is Jacob Murphy who is arguably the Magpies’ best player right now.
The 30-year-old continues to defy belief with his performances, with Jacob Murphy getting another goal and an assist in Newcastle’s win over Crystal Palace.
His goal from the tightest of angles was remarkable, as Murphy took his tally to nine goals and 13 assists for the season in all competitions.
Throughout last summer and the January transfer window, Newcastle United fans have been crying out for a new right winger. But Murphy is not going to give up his position without a fight, and is establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most influential wide players.
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Jason Tindall is not surprised by Jacob Murphy’s form
Despite his startling form, Murphy still does not fully get the credit he deserves.
In the eyes of Jason Tindall, things would be different for Murphy if he was a foreign player who had arrived for a huge sum of money.
“Jacob is behind [Mohamed] Salah in the assists this season, so I think that probably says everything and what type of season he is having,” he said.
“Full credit to Jacob. He’s been at the football club a long time. I’m sure if he was a player we had signed at the start of the season or in January from Spain, Brazil, Italy or somewhere else around the world that everybody would be speaking really highly of him and receiving a lot more plaudits than he is.
“But his performances certainly don’t surprise myself, the manager or any of the other staff. He works extremely hard on a day-to-day basis. He takes everything in tactically. As you can see from his performances this year, he’s been asked to do a number of different roles. Week in week out, you can rely on him.”
Murphy is making it harder for Newcastle United to sign a winger
Despite Murphy’s incredible performances, there is no doubt that Newcastle United need to sign a right winger when the summer transfer window opens.
The Magpies are extremely short in that position since Miguel Almiron’s departure, with Eddie Howe desperately in need of more depth ahead of the club’s return to Europe.
But Murphy’s form is going to make it harder for the Toon recruitment team. Suddenly you are looking to sign someone who is going to be good enough to battle with and possibly replace a player who has got more than 20 goal contributions in a single season.
Murphy’s numbers are outstanding, while he is a player who Eddie Howe trusts tactically to deliver a gameplan. He also makes those around him better, creating so many opportunities for Alexander Isak.
Whoever arrives to be Newcastle’s next right winger must have similar qualities. Newcastle want Tyler Dibling, while the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Johan Bakayoko are also on the club’s radar ahead of the summer.
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