‘Very clear’… £5m Newcastle player says Eddie Howe would not let him leave St James’ Park

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Newcastle United have a few contract situations to sort out before the summer, but Emil Krafth’s future is already resolved.

It was recently announced that the Sweden international had extended his contract at St James’ Park, with Emil Krafth now remaining on Tyneside until 2025.

The deal delighted a lot of Toon fans, who are ecstatic to hear that Krafu is going nowhere. The right-back is going to continue his Newcastle United career, and now he has explained why he has decided to stay.

During an interview in Sweden, Krafth explained that it was actually Eddie Howe who convinced him to stay after the pair sat down to discuss the 29-year-old’s future.

And Krafth says Howe’s words were enough for him to put pen to paper on a new deal.

Eddie Howe convinced Emil Krafth to stay at Newcastle

Speaking to Aftonbladet, Krafth has shared what Howe told him before he decided to say yes to a new Newcastle United contract.

“He [Howe] was really on me, he pushed it the most,” he said.

“We had a nice conversation where he said that I wasn’t going anywhere. That he trusted me very much and that I never disappointed him. Then he has respected my injury and therefore I may not have played as much as I wanted, but he was very clear that he wanted to keep me and that I was absolutely not going anywhere.

“He said that I have a long future at the club.”

Big future for Krafth at Newcastle

Howe has told Krafth that he has a big future at St James’ Park, which is very interesting. At the moment, he is the third choice right-back behind Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento.

Unless something drastic happens, it is difficult to envision Krafth ever getting in the side ahead of those two. However, Krafth is also capable of playing centre-back, as we have seen this season. In total, he has made 10 appearances in all competitions so far.

While he might not play regularly, Krafth is certainly a valuable player to have in the squad. He is reliable, and has improved massively since Howe took over as manager.

There used to be a lot of trepidation when the £5million player was in the team, but that is no longer the case.

He is an important part of a Newcastle squad that needs depth, which is probably why Howe pushed so hard for Krafth to sign a new contract. His persuasive skills paid off, with the Swede deciding to stay.

Now we need Howe to have the same chat with Joelinton…