NUFC’s ‘devastating’ £12m man may have just played his way into Howe’s starting XI

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Eddie Howe’s task of picking his best Newcastle United starting eleven is not one that I envy right now with so many players impressing in pre-season.

It wasn’t all too long ago that the Newcastle team almost picked itself and fans would look on in horror that someone would have to come off the bench such was the lack of quality in depth, but now we have the exact opposite issue.

Somehow Eddie Howe needs to pick five midfielders to start next week from Sean Longstaff, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Miguel Almiron, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy and even Lewis Miley.

Newcastle’s entire midfield has staked a solid claim for a starting place

Each and every one of them has done enough to garner a place in the team to face Aston Villa next week after Newcastle rounded off an unbeaten pre-season with a 4-0 win over Villarreal before lifting the Sela Cup. Hopefully the first trophy of many to come.

Miguel Almiron scored against Fiorentina yesterday, continuing his fine form in front of goal, but today Jacob Murphy, who was once hailed as ‘devastating‘ by Rio Ferdinand, gave Eddie Howe a massive headache by also scoring a thumping strike against Villarreal.

Along with Murphy’s goal, he was absolutely everywhere on that pitch, at one point making a gut busting run to get back and dispossess the Villarreal striker on the edge of the box preventing what looked like an almost certain goal.

Eddie Howe is going to have a tough week ahead of him

The £12million signing from Norwich showed a that kind of endeavour that nudges him just ahead of Almiron for that starting spot on the right-flank next week, in my opinion at least.

While I think Harvey Barnes‘ brace and all-round brilliant attacking play today puts him ahead of Anthony Gordon for the left flank position. Had Gordon converted at least one of his chances yesterday it may be a more difficult call to make.

As for the rest of the midfield, I imagine Bruno Guimaraes‘ place is nailed-on, but as for who nabs the final two spots, that’s what’s going to keep Eddie Howe awake at night this week.