How Newcastle United’s players have been performing in the 2025-26 season so far.
All things considered, it’s been a decent start to the new season for Newcastle United, who have been dealing with some serious upheaval.
Alexander Isak threw the transfer window into chaos and left Eddie Howe without a striker for the opening games, several key players have already been missing with injury and Newcastle are having to deal with the added burden of the Champions League again.
So sitting 11th in the Premier League and having one win on the board in Europe is good going for this early stage, even if Newcastle will be aiming for much higher.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 6 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
| 7 |  ChelseaChelsea | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 11 |
| 8 |  EvertonEverton | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 11 |
| 9 |  SunderlandSunderland | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 11 |
| 10 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 10 |
| 11 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 9 |
| 12 |  BrightonBrighton | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 9 |
| 13 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 9 |
| 14 |  FulhamFulham | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 8 |
| 15 |  LeedsLeeds | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 8 |
Still, with two months of the season now done, it’s a good time to assess how the players are performing and here are the ratings for the campaign so far.
- Newcastle United Premier League and Champions League stats 2025-26 – Top scorers, assists and results
Nick Pope – 8.5
Nick Pope has been under a lot of pressure to perform after Newcastle failed to replace him with James Trafford, and he’s responded with one of his best runs of form ever.
The goalkeeper has kept six clean sheets in his opening nine games, conceded just seven goals and has, for now, cut out silly mistakes from his game. A great start to the season.
Kieran Trippier – 8
Kieran Trippier keeps getting older but he still doesn’t let Newcastle down, even when he is being relied upon more than he should be.
The veteran full-back can often be outpaced these days, but he holds his own against most wingers and is a perfect outlet for the side, with wingers benefiting massively from his clipped forward passes. Remains a crucial player.
Lewis Hall – 4
It’s been a torrid time for Lewis Hall who, even though his minutes have been managed, has struggled to get back to full fitness and has now picked up a hamstring injury. He’s mostly looked understandably rusty in his limited minutes.
Sven Botman – 7
Sven Botman is another defender who has struggled with injury in recent years but is slowly getting back to his best. The Dutchman has now played (other than coming off in the final minute once) the last five games to completion and is developing a new star partnership with Malick Thiaw.
If his good performances continue, his rating is going to rocket.
Fabian Schar – 7.5
Fabian Schar started the season where he left off, putting in classy, resolute performances in the heart of defence. However, his time out with a concussion has opened the door for Botman and Thiaw, so it may take an injury elsewhere for him to get back into the side.
Jamaal Lascelles – 5
Yet another defender who has endured a horrific time with injury is Jamaal Lascelles. It looked as though the former captain would never play for the club again at one point, but he’s made a heroic comeback to do so. He has only made two substitute appearances, but looked okay when doing so after so long out.
Joelinton – 7.5
Another season, the same old Joelinton. The burly Brazilian is still barreling around the pitch, steaming into tackles, getting booked (four already) and bringing energy to Newcastle’s midfield. His rating would be higher if he were a bit sharper in the final third, with the midfielder missing several great chances to score already.
Sandro Tonali – 8.5
If anything, Sandro Tonali just keeps getting better.
Paul Scholes says he’s better than Declan Rice and Toon legend Alan Shearer thinks he’s one of the best midfielders in the league. It’s hard to argue with either point.
The midfield maestro dominates games with his physicality and positioning, but has class on the ball as well. Keeping hold of him will be the biggest task of 2026.
Yoane Wissa – 0
It’s just Newcastle’s luck that they pay well over the odds for a striker with a near spotless injury record, only for him to pick up an injury immediately. £55m signing Yoane Wissa is yet to make his debut.
Anthony Gordon – 6.5
It wasn’t the explosive start to the season many were hoping for from Anthony Gordon, not helped by the fact that he had to be played out of position as a striker. But there are signs that he is approaching his best again now he’s back on the left as part of an exciting-looking front three. He can still get miles better, though.
Harvey Barnes – 6
Harvey Barnes has found himself playing second fiddle this season, with only four starts so far. Yet, he looks dangerous off the bench and a fine finish against Union SG shows he is still sharp in front of goal.
Malick Thiaw – 7.5
Thiaw had to wait patiently for his chance after not starting any of the first five games, but he has taken his opportunity with both hands following Schar’s absence. Thiaw is quickly becoming a fan favourite with his composed and solid displays at the back.
Emil Krafth – 3
It’s just the one appearance for Emil Krafth so far, and he wasn’t even allowed to play the full 90 against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup.
William Osula – 6.5
It appeared Newcastle had struck gold on deadline day when Eintracht Frankfurt wanted William Osula for £30m. Though he has potential, that’s a lot of money for a 22-year-old with few goals and who is still very raw.
Yet, the deal fell through and it’s proven to be a blessing, with Osula making up for Wissa’s unavailability. The Dane has looked bright, too; he is clearly getting better, working hard and has three goals to his name already. A surprising early success story.
Anthony Elanga – 6
There are sparks of just how brilliant Anthony Elanga could be, but he has yet to catch alight just yet. The Swede has looked the best in the Champions League so far, with him running Barcelona ragged and playing a role in two goals against Union SG.
However, he is yet to find his cutting edge with no goals or assists and hasn’t been effective enough in the Premier League. That will come, though.
Tino Livramento – 8
Among Newcastle’s best and most important players in the early stages, as he continued his excellent performances on his unfamiliar left side. Howe will be counting his lucky stars that the injury he suffered against Arsenal hasn’t ended his season, but he will be sorely missed in the next two months.
Jacob Murphy – 6
After enjoying the season of his career last term, Jacob Murphy has been forced to take a back seat this season. He’s still managed to set up two goals – vs Barcelona and Wolves – with sublime crosses but is finding his minutes limited unless he’s playing a restrictive role at wing-back.
Nick Woltemade – 8
With Wissa injured and Isak bitterly departed, Newcastle desperately needed Nick Woltemade to hit the ground running. Add a much-criticised £69m price tag on top and the weight of expectation on the giant German’s shoulders was immense.
Given all that, Woltemade couldn’t have made a much better start. He has four times as many goals as Isak at Liverpool and is becoming a cult hero on the terraces.
Woltemade is scoring headers – something he struggled to do at Stuttgart despite his height – and casually class penalties, while his hold-up and link-up play is ensuring Newcastle aren’t missing Isak at all.
A front three of Woltemade, Elanga and Gordon is looking deadly.
Joe Willock – 3
Joe Willock continues to be Newcastle’s most underperforming player. He has played just three games, not impressing in any, and clearly isn’t trusted much by Howe.
Aaron Ramsdale – 5
Only played one game so far and could do nothing about the rocket from Andy Cook that fired past him in the 4-1 win over Bradford City.
Dan Burn – 8
Newcastle have relied on a solid core of key players in recent years and all of them continue to perform. Dan Burn is still doing so even when he’s been asked to go back out to left-back after years of playing in the middle.
A lack of pace may cost him at points but he remains a fantastic defender wherever he plays.
Alex Murphy – 4
Despite impressing in pre-season, Alex Murphy has been given just a minute of first-team football this season, even with injury problems at full-back.
Bruno Guimaraes – 9
Goals, assists, tackles, skills, passes, we already knew Bruno Guimaraes could do it all but it doesn’t make it any less impressive to see him in action. The Newcastle captain has enjoyed a sensational start to the new season and has been Newcastle’s best and most consistent performer. What a player.
Jacob Ramsey – 3
Like Wissa, Jacob Ramsey is another big-money signing who has been struck down with injury. He managed just 59 minutes of action before being ruled out.
Lewis Miley – 6
Lewis Miley will be hoping for more minutes this season after his progress stuttered last year. He’s made a good start and looked tidy in his few cameos so far.
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