Newcastle United have some major contract decisions to make in the coming months.
Eddie Howe has six players who have represented the Newcastle United first-team whose deals are coming to an end this summer.
The club has already made the decision to extend Fabian Schar’s stay, much to the delight of his Toon teammates, while Emil Krafth was equally as excited to sign a contract extension of his own. Their deals were followed with an announcement that Jamaal Lascelles had triggered an extension, keeping him at St James’ Park until 2025.
Their futures are determined beyond this summer, and now Newcastle United must make decisions on six more players.
Geordie Boot Boys looks at each player, giving our verdict on who should stay at St James’ Park and who should go.
Paul Dummett
After making his Newcastle United debut in 2013, Paul Dummett has gone on to play more than 200 times for his boyhood club. However, appearances have been hard to come by in recent years.
The defender has done well when Eddie Howe has turned to him, but opportunities have been rare.
He was linked with a move away from Tyneside in January, while it has been claimed that he will not be handed a new Toon contract. That is probably a wise, as sentiment needs to be put to one side as we move into the next phase of PIF’s ambitious project.
Verdict: Release
Matt Ritchie
Matt Ritchie is adored behind the scenes at St James’ Park. Anthony Gordon recently spoke about how important he is, while he was described as the unsung hero last season when Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League.
The 34-year-old ‘inspiration‘ recently scored a vital equaliser for the Magpies against Bournemouth, which was great to see. However, he simply does not have a big enough role on the pitch to justify keeping him at the club.
That is a shame, as the £12million player is a beloved character within the squad, but, just like with Dummett, sentiment needs to be put to one side.
Verdict: Release
Loris Karius
Loris Karius looks certain to leave Newcastle United this summer, and it is just a shame he will not leave a hero.
He had the opportunity to do that, having started the Carabao Cup final last season due to Nick Pope’s suspension. But Karius was not able to help Newcastle end their trophy drought, and has only made one appearance since.
A move to Italy appears to beckon for family reasons.
Verdict: Release
Mark Gillespie
With Loris Karius due to leave and Martin Dubravka’s future uncertain, Mark Gillespie probably should be retained.
The local lad has only ever featured in the Carabao Cup for Newcastle United, while there have been concerns about his ability behind the scenes.
But with Newcastle potentially set to be shy of senior goalkeepers, it may be wise to hand Gillespie a one-year extension to allow the club to get its goalkeeping ducks in a row.
Verdict: Keep
Jeff Hendrick
Jeff Hendrick joined Newcastle United in the summer of 2020, arriving on a free from Burnley when Steve Bruce was manager.
He looked like a decent addition at the time, but never really managed to prove he was up to the standard. The Republic of Ireland international famously scored the final goal of the Mike Ashley era, but has only made one appearance since Eddie Howe became Newcastle United manager.
Hendrick is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, and is a player who the Magpies will be desperate to get off the wage bill.
Verdict: Release
Kelland Watts
Kelland Watts has only ever made one senior appearance for Newcastle United, and that came on the final day of the 2019/20 Premier League season when games were played behind closed doors due to COVID.
While Eddie Howe has been impressed with Watts, he has been loaned out throughout the Newcastle manager’s tenure on Tyneside.
He will not be retained, with his current loan deal at Wigan Athletic set to become a permanent transfer when his Toon contract expires this summer.
Verdict: Release
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