Newcastle United’s PSR gamble is set to pay off as Paul Mitchell’s mission becomes clearer

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The pressure is on Paul Mitchell at Newcastle United this summer.

Three transfer windows have passed without Newcastle United making a major signing. Paul Mitchell has overseen two of those windows, yet has not been able to flex his muscles as a recruiter.

While youth signings have been made – Mitchell pushed to sign Vakhtang Salia – the first-team has been largely neglected.

That needs to change this summer, with Eddie Howe crying out for more depth.

What Paul Mitchell must give Eddie Howe this summer

That could not have been more evident on Saturday.

Newcastle United lost to Aston Villa, with Unai Emery’s side dismantling the in-form Magpies.

Jason Tindall’s team looked tired, falling well below their usual standard after impressive wins over Manchester United and Crystal Palace.

But tiredness cannot be an excuse. Aston Villa had also endured a busy week, going into the Toon game on the back of Champions League elimination at the hands of PSG.

The difference between Newcastle United and Aston Villa was depth. Emery was able to change his starting XI, while he had players in reserve who could influence the game.

In comparison, Newcastle named an unchanged starting XI for the sixth game in a row. Meanwhile, the players who came on had little to no impact. While Tindall was able to introduce the likes of Callum Wilson and Joe Willock, neither player made a positive impression.

That is becoming a regular occurrence for Newcastle United.

Newcastle United could soon be rewarded for PSR gamble

Mitchell needs to add depth to Eddie Howe’s squad. That is essential, and it will become even more essential if Newcastle United qualify for the Champions League.

The Magpies already know how physically demanding that competition can be, having endured an injury crisis in the 2023/24 campaign.

That is why Mitchell needs to give Howe the depth he requires. And that should be possible, due to the PSR gamble that the club took in January.

At the start of the year, Newcastle decided to take a risk. They sold Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly without bringing in replacements. So far, that risk has paid off. They have not suffered without the duo, who joined Atlanta United and Juventus respectively.

The risk should pay off even more this summer, as Newcastle’s decision not to spend has put them in a much healthier PSR position. They took a long-term approach, and that should mean that Mitchell is in an ideal position to really make his mark.

Given their lack of depth, it is remarkable what Newcastle United have achieved this season. Next season can be just as special, but only if Howe is given the tools required.