It took a while, but Newcastle broke their long-standing transfer record twice in 2019! The Mike Ashley era hasn’t been a prolific one for Newcastle signings, so let’s rate the last 25 players to join the Magpies out of 10.
Mo Diame, 8/10
We start in the summer of 2016, as Newcastle were preparing for an immediate return to the Premier League from the Championship. Rafa Benitez brought in Mo Diame as his Moussa Sissoko replacement, but it’s fair to say it took a while for Mo to make the difference. It was only in the Premier League where he really impressed, going from a woeful attacking midfielder to an unstoppable defensive midfielder, capable of tackling anyone and anywhere at any time. He was a strong player for the Magpies, but left this summer on a free.
DeAndre Yedlin, 7/10
Signed from Spurs for about £5 million, DeAndre Yedlin has been solid if not spectacular in black and white. His pace is sublime and a real outlet, but he can often leave a lot to be desired at the back, as we all see against Aston Villa the other week. But for £5 million, you can’t really ask for much more.
Daryl Murphy, 4.5/10
Signed to add extra depth and experience to Rafa Benitez’s forward line, Daryl Murphy was a real surprise signing at St James’ Park, especially considering he used to play for Sunderland and was in his 30s. But the Irishman did well when he played, ending the year with a goal every three games. Sadly, he was only brought in for the Championship and sent on his way following promotion to the top flight.
Achraf Lazaar, 1/10
This guy has to go down as one of Newcastle’s worst signings of the decade, and a player who is remarkably still at St James’ Park. The Moroccan was brought in to add depth at left-back, even getting the number seven shirt, but he never performed in the North East. The Championship was too much for him, so he had no chance in the Premier League. Lazaar is now on loan in the second tier of Italian football, his third temporary spell away from Newcastle, where his contract runs until 2021.
Christian Atsu, 5.5/10
The Ghanaian arrived on loan in the Championship and scored some key goals, including a couple of brilliant strikes against the likes of Bristol City and Cardiff. His form earned him a permanent move to Newcastle, and Atsu has been okay in the Premier League, despite lacking that bit extra quality you need in the top flight. When he’s in form, he’s been good for Newcastle, but those days have often been few and far between.
Florian Lejeune, 8.5/10
With Newcastle back in the top flight in 2017, they added some extra quality at the back with French centre-half Florian Lejeune from Eibar. He endured a slow start but soon got to grips with the Premier League, becoming an integral player alongside Jamaal Lascelles. He was brilliant last season too as part of Rafa’s back three, but two horrible knee injuries have limited his minutes on the pitch. Regardless, a top player for Newcastle and an excellent signing.
Jacob Murphy, 1/10
The twin of Josh Murphy, Jacob cost Newcastle £12.5 million, and what a waste of money it was. The winger never looked equipped for the Premier League, netting just once in black and white as well as getting a pair of assists. But on the whole, he’s been poor, and a real bad bit of business from the Benitez era. He’s on loan in the Championship now, destined to never make the grade at Newcastle in the Premier League.
Javier Manquillo, 6/10
Signed from Atletico Madrid on the back of relegation with Sunderland, Javier Manquillo hardly excited the Toon Army with his arrival. And after a slow start in black and white, the Spaniard did eventually show his worth, doing an admirable job on both the left and right side of defence. He’s been solid a lot of the time for Newcastle, even if he is far from the perfect defender. If he was that good, Atletico wouldn’t have let him go.
Joselu, 3/10
For £5 million, Newcastle can’t really have expected much from Joselu, even if he did score on his home debut against West Ham. The big Jos often frustrated Toon fans with his big misses and failed passes, feeling the wrath of supporters pretty much every time he stepped onto the pitch. The goals didn’t flow, and Joselu was rightfully sold this summer to Alaves, where he’s actually doing much better.
Mikel Merino, 6.5/10
This is a story of what might have been. Relatively unknown when he arrived from Dortmund, Merino immediately proved he was a class act on a football pitch, with glorious balance and passing range making him a future Newcastle star. However, a badly timed injury pretty much ended his Toon career. While he was out, Diame and Shelvey stepped up, and Merino was out of favour, which led to him asking to leave. Real Sociedad swept in, and Merino’s time in Newcastle over after a year, how sad.
Kenedy, 5/10
The Brazilian had two loan spells at Newcastle, and they were both very different. The first started in January 2018, and he dazzled at St James’ Park. Kenedy added flair and creativity to a side that desperately needed it, and he left in the summer with fans pining for his return. Return he did, but as a completely different player. Kenedy’s second loan spell was awful, which eventually led to him losing his place in the starting XI. It’s fair to say he wasn’t asked back for a third spell.
Islam Slimani, 2/10
Another January loan signing, Slimani was meant to add the goals Newcastle needed, but he failed to find the net at all. He spent most of his time either injured or suspended, with his best moment coming in a 2-1 win over Arsenal where he set up the winner. Sadly, that was as good as it got for the Algerian forward.
Martin Dubravka, 9.5/10
From an incredible debut against Manchester United to becoming Newcastle’s number one, what a signing Martin Dubravka has been. The Slovakian was pretty unknown when he arrived on loan, but he quickly made the headlines with a career-defining clean sheet against the Red Devils. Dubravka would earn a permanent move for about £4 million, and he’s been worth every single penny. A top goalkeeper who is capable of moments of brilliance and match-winning saves.
Ki Sung-Yueng, 4/10
Signed on a free from Swansea, Ki has never really been a star at Newcastle, despite a strong spell in the side not long after joining in the autumn of 2018. Ki has barely played under Steve Bruce and when he has, he’s looked slow and off the pace, with the speed of the Premier League passing him by. He was a cheap option to beef up the squad, but one who is really not good enough.
Fabian Schar, 9.5/10
Alongside Martin Dubravka, Fabian Schar is one of Newcastle’s best signings in recent years. The Swiss defender cost only £3 million thanks to a release clause in his contract, and now he’s worth closer to £50 million. He’s a fan favourite because of his sublime long passing and marauding runs from the back, but he’s also a solid defender. With some stunning goals along the way, he’s very much a modern day Philippe Albert.
Yoshinori Muto, 1/10
The Japanese forward came in to replace Dwight Gayle when he joined West Brom on loan last season, but it’s fair to say that Muto didn’t live up to the hype. The speedster has just one Premier League goal for Newcastle, and nowadays he can’t even get on the bench. Chances have been limited for Muto, but the ones he’s got he hasn’t taken, and he’s proven to be an absolute waste of money.
Salomon Rondon, 9/10
Brought in on loan last season and given the number nine, Salomon Rondon was a key reason why Newcastle survived last season. He scored 11 league goals for the Magpies, his best ever Premier League tally, but he brought much more than goals to St James’ Park. He was the focal point, the defensive forward perfect for Rafa Benitez’s system. Sadly, he didn’t make his move permanent over the summer, instead following Benitez to Dalian Yifang in the Chinese Super League.
Federico Fernandez, 7.5/10
The Argentinian arrived from Swansea to add defensive cover in the summer of 2018, and it’s fair to say that Fernandez has been reliable for the Magpies when called upon. While he isn’t as flash as Schar or as inspirational as Lascelles, Fernandez has been an extra leader at the back for Newcastle, rarely putting a foot wrong. He even got his first goal earlier in the season, a lovely header against a desperate West Ham.
Antonio Barreca, 0.5/10
What a waste of time this was. The Italian arrived on loan in January 2019, but he managed just one substitute appearance. Barreca was barely seen on Tyneside, so it’s hard to even judge him properly. But considering he wasn’t even good enough for the bench most weeks, I think that tells the story.
Miguel Almiron, 7/10
A £21 million signing from Atlanta United, Miguel Almiron became Newcastle’s most expensive signing ever in January, taking the record away from Michael Owen. And Almiron immediately showed why he cost so much money, giving Newcastle a new dimension going forwards. After a rough start to this season, the Paraguayan is finally off the mark in front of goal after his dramatic winner against Crystal Palace.
Joelinton, 3/10
Newcastle broke their transfer record again in the summer, signing Joelinton for £40 million. But why? The Brazilian has been pretty woeful since arriving, and it’s not as if he was prolific in Germany either. The first time Newcastle spend ridiculous money on a player and it’s this guy. There’s obviously a lot of time for him to turn it round, but it’s been a bad first impression from Joelinton.
Jetro Willems, 8/10
The Dutch defender on loan from Frankfurt absolutely loves a goal against the big boys, scoring two crackers with his weaker foot against Liverpool and Manchester City. Willems has been a great acquisition on loan, and a lot of Toon fans will want to see his loan move made into a permanent one, such has been his impact at St James’ Park.
Allan Saint-Maximin, 7.5/10
The French sensation who said the F-word live on local radio at 10 past 6 in the evening, Allan Saint-Maximin is already a fan favourite at Newcastle. There’s no one he can’t dribble past, he can run the length of the pitch, it seems like the only thing that can stop him is himself. The end product needs a little work, but that’s to be expected. If he was as good a finisher as he is a dribbler, he would be playing for a much bigger club than Newcastle.
Emil Krafth, 2.5/10
The defender joined to add depth to Newcastle’s squad, but to be honest he doesn’t look any better than what the Magpies already have at right-back, so really what was the point? Krafth has been a massive disappointment so far, and he’s probably third choice now which isn’t what you want when you’ve just arrived.
Andy Carroll, 5/10
The local hero returned home this summer, with Newcastle the only Premier League club willing to take a punt on the big man. The fans love Carroll, the ovation he got when he came on against Brighton was something special. But we’re yet to really see Carroll at his best, spending most of his time either on the bench or defending. He’s a sentimental signing that Newcastle are yet to get any return on, and a lot of people doubt if he can really still do it at the highest level.
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