While the present is very exciting for Newcastle United, there is no harm in dreaming about the future.
So much has changed over the past year following the takeover, with the new owners’ ambition clear for all to see.
Amanda Staveley and co want to take Newcastle to the top, but they are going to do it in a sensible way. That means, with the help of Dan Ashworth, signing young players who can develop into first team stars.
That is what we anticipate will happen, and this is our predicted Newcastle United starting XI in five years’ time
Nick Pope
Starting with one player who is already at St James’ Park, there is no reason why Nick Pope can’t still be Eddie Howe’s number one stopper in 2027 – and yes, Eddie Howe should still be manager.
Pope will be 35 in five years’ time, which is still an acceptable age for a goalkeeper. The £10million man could be at the peak of his powers at that stage, which is an exciting prospect.
Ivan Fresneda
It breaks my heart to say it, but I doubt Kieran Trippier will be Newcastle’s right-back in five years. That is a real shame, as the 32-year-old is an absolutely superstar at the moment.
Instead we have a new signing, and it is a young Spaniard who has been linked with a move to St James’ Park recently.
Ivan Fresneda is enjoying a breakthrough season with Real Valladolid, and is attracting attention from the likes of Newcastle. The 18-year-old has a release clause of £26million, and he could be the man to replace Trippier in the coming years after acting as deputy.
Sven Botman
In five years, Sven Botman will still only be 27. That shows what a brilliant signing he was during the summer.
The £35million should have solidified himself as one of the Premier League’s best centre-backs by 2027, while he may even have switched to the righthand side of the Magpies’ centre-back duo.
Alex Murphy
Alongside Botman we are taking a punt on a current Newcastle academy player. Alex Murphy arrived from Galway United during the summer, and has already spent a lot of time training with the first-team.
The Irish centre-back will have ambitions of playing in the Premier League with Newcastle, and that is what Ashworth will want to happen too.
When the time comes for the Magpies to find a new centre-back, they should be able to turn to the academy and find a readymade option. That is what Ashworth will bring to Newcastle, and it is why we think Murphy, who is currently 18, could be alongside Botman in five years.
Aaron Hickey
This one might seem a bit out of the blue, but stick with us. Between Newcastle’s current left-back options, it is difficult to see any of them in Howe’s starting by this time in 2027.
Therefore, we will likely see a new face arrive. And we have gone with Aaron Hickey, the Scottish defender who was linked with the Magpies during the summer.
He went to Brentford instead, costing the Bees an initial £14million. Their recruitment is excellent, and will likely end up making a profit on Hickey.
With Newcastle looking for reliable players who are good characters, Hickey could be a good option in the future. He is versatile too, capable of playing on the right of defence as well as the left.
Bruno Guimaraes
In 2027, Newcastle should still have Bruno in the middle. He will have just turned 30 in five years, and will still be the talk of the Toon.
He is mature now, but his game should have reached an even higher level by then. He will be one of the elder-statesmen of the Newcastle dressing room, having cemented his legendary status on Tyneside.
Maximo Perrone
Newcastle United have reportedly been pursuing a move for Argentinian midfielder Maximo Perrone. He is 19-years-old, and plays for Velez Sarsfield.
It has been claimed that Ashworth is willing to pay around £12million, which makes him cheaper than Andrey Santos – who we are set to miss out on.
While missing out on Santos was a real blow, Perrone can be just as exciting. He has been described as ‘spectacular’ in the past, and was once a target for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
He looks destined to arrive in Europe, and Newcastle can make him the future heartbeat of our midfield with a move.
Elliot Anderson
Finally a Geordie! Elliot Anderson is the one and only local lad in this team. We believe he will have cemented his place in Newcastle’s midfield by the time 2027 rolls around.
It is still unclear whether his future lies centrally or out wide, but as long as he develops into a Premier League regular, that’s all that matters.
Garang Kuol
The Aussie sensation joins Newcastle in January, with a loan move on the horizon for the 18-year-old. But, like Murphy, the goal is for him to become a first-team regular at St James’ Park.
He has the potential to be just that in five years’ time, and could end up being an absolute bargain at £600,000.
His pace and dribbling ability means he has the raw tools to be a success. He might be a rough diamond right now, but working with Howe will do wonders for his career.
Alexander Isak
£63million was a lot of money to spend on one player, but it was with the aim that Alexander Isak will be Newcastle’s main striker for years to come.
He should be well established as a Premier League forward by 2027, and hopefully banging in 20+ goals a season – maybe even with the number nine on his back.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
According to the Times, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is one of Newcastle’s top targets for 2023. The Georgian winger is playing out of this world for Napoli, and is valued at £50million.
Only 21 now and flying in Serie A, just imagine how good he could in in five years in the black and white of Newcastle.
Predicted Newcastle XI in five years: Pope; Fresneda, Botman, Murphy, Hickey; Guimaraes, Perrone, Anderson; Kuol, Isak, Kvaratskhelia (4-3-3).
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