Newcastle United’s top 10 centre-midfielders of all time, ranked.
While Newcastle United are best known for their strikers and the famous number nine shirt, they have also had some incredible midfield players during their history.
Whether it was the 1950s when the club were FA Cup champions or the current side that Eddie Howe possesses, the Magpies have been blessed to have some outstanding players in the middle of the park.
Here are the top 10.
10 – Yohan Cabaye
Given the era that he played in and the situation surrounding his departure, it is easy to forget just how good Yohan Cabaye was for Newcastle United.
He had the unenviable task of replacing Kevin Nolan in 2011, but it quickly emerged that the Magpies had bought an improvement. The Frenchman was graceful in possession and could dictate games, while he also had a bit of bite.
Despite chants of ‘don’t sell Cabaye’ from Toon supporters, he joined Paris Saint-Germain for £19million in January 2014.
9 – Cheick Tiote
Cabaye’s partner in crime in the middle of the park, Cheick Tiote was a warrior for Newcastle United.
His ability to protect his defence was unrivalled in the Premier League at the time, boasting an incredible ability to reclaim possession from his opponent.
Making more than 150 appearances for the club, Tiote scored one of Newcastle’s most famous ever goals. No one will ever forget that volley against Arsenal, as Tiote’s strike from distance completed a remarkable comeback to make it 4-4. Incredibly, it was his only goal for the club.
8 – Tommy Cassidy
The skilful Northern Irishman spent 10 years at Newcastle United, making 239 appearances for the club. It could have been more too, had it not been for injuries.
Cassidy was an exquisite passer of the ball, and his ability in the middle of the park almost guided Newcastle to glory in 1974. He was part of the Toon side that reached that year’s FA Cup final, losing to Liverpool at Wembley.
Following retirement, Cassidy managed North East sides such Newcastle Blue Star and Blyth Spartans.
7 – Paul Gascoigne
While nowadays you have Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley as stars of the Newcastle United academy, in the 1980s and 1990s it was Gazza.
Paul Gascoigne rose through the ranks at Newcastle United, quickly establishing himself as one of English football’s brightest talents.
While his playing career is better remembered for what he did after leaving St James’ Park, Gascoigne has to go down as one of the Magpies’ finest midfielders in history.
6 – Colin Veitch
For what he achieved in the early 1900s, Colin Veitch has to feature on this list.
Veitch was actually known for his versatility, capable of playing in pretty much every position. Born in Heaton, he made 322 appearances for the Magpies.
As a one-club man, Veitch helped Newcastle United win three First Division titles and one FA Cup.
5 – Sandro Tonali
One of two current Toon players on this list, Sandro Tonali is one of the Premier League’s best midfielders right now.
Tonali is the engine in Newcastle’s midfield, becoming a key figure under Eddie Howe after missing 10 months of his career due to breaching gambling regulations.
Costing £55million from AC Milan in 2023, he is one of Newcastle’s most expensive players and the most expensive on this list. However, he was worth every penny.
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4 – Gary Speed
Signed by Kenny Dalglish in February 1998, Gary Speed would spend more than six years at St James’ Park.
He was a model professional during that time, almost ending Newcastle’s trophy drought. However, he was part of the Toon team that lost back-to-back FA Cup finals in 1998 and 1999.
Speed was incredibly reliable for the Magpies, leading by example both on and off the pitch. He was the type of player you needed in midfield, making 285 appearances for the club in total.
3 – Bruno Guimaraes
As far as modern day Newcastle United legends go, Bruno Guimaraes is right up there.
He arrived on Tyneside in the first transfer window after the PIF takeover, buying into the club’s ambitious project despite the threat of relegation.
Bruno quickly emerged as a superstar for Eddie Howe, before being promoted to captain in 2024. In his first season with the armband, Bruno captained Newcastle United to the Carabao Cup, ending their trophy drought.
The Brazil international has completely bought into life in the North East, blending South American flair with Geordie passion.
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2 – Rob Lee
Rob Lee epitomises the phrase ‘adopted Geordie’. Brought to the club by Kevin Keegan after convincing him that Newcastle was closer to London than Middlesbrough, Lee would spend almost 10 years with the Magpies.
As a box-to-box midfielder, Lee could do everything. The only thing he did not do during his time at Newcastle United was win a major trophy, having come agonisingly close as part of the Entertainers in 1996.
In total, Lee made 381 appearances for Newcastle United.
1 – Joe Harvey
As a player and a manager, Joe Harvey epitomises the phrase ‘Newcastle United legend‘.
He was the Magpies’ captain during his playing days, guiding the club to FA Cup glory in 1951 and 1952. Harvey was the definition of a leader in midfield, and remains the only person to captain the club to back-to-back honours.
Making 224 appearances between 1945 and 1953, Harvey also went on to enjoy a successful career as Newcastle United manager. Now he is immortalised at St James’ Park, with a memorial plaque dedicated to him at the Gallowgate End.
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