Youri Tielemans fails Newcastle audition after claim Eddie Howe wants him

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Newcastle United reportedly want to sign Youri Tielemans from Leicester, but the Magpies might want to think again after last night’s performance.

The Belgian midfielder captained the Foxes in the Carabao Cup quarter final, but was unable to stomp a rampant Toon team advancing to the final four of the competition.

Eddie Howe’s side won 2-0 at St James’ Park, with goals coming from Dan Burn and Joelinton in the second half. In truth, it could and should have been more.

But that doesn’t matter. Newcastle got the job done and are now League Cup semi finalists.

It was a special night inside St James’ Park. The atmosphere before the game was electric, and it carried on throughout the 90 minutes. It felt like a definitive night for the club, as Newcastle look end to end their trophy drought.

The heroes of the night were Joelinton, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes, with so many more players excelling.

The victory against Leicester came in the middle of the January transfer window, up against a player they reportedly want to sign. However, he did nothing to suggest Dan Ashworth should be breaking the bank to sign him this month.

Youri Tielemans fails to prove why Newcastle want him

Tielemans is a long-term target for the Magpies, and was reportedly available for £25million during the summer.

Now he has been linked with a January move to St James’ Park. The Telegraph have claimed that he is one of the midfielders on Newcastle’s radar, with Howe keen to sign a replacement for the injured Jonjo Shelvey.

The 25-year-old certainly ticks a lot of boxes. He is immensely talented, and has previously been called ‘outstanding‘ by Brendan Rodgers. He is a leader too, captaining this current Leicester side. And he could be affordable, with his contract set to expire in the summer.

A classy customer like Tielemans looks like someone who would fit in seamlessly alongside Bruno Guimaraes in Newcastle’s midfield. However, he was completely outclassed on Tuesday night.

The Magpies’ performance was one filled with passion, fight and desire. Leicester were unable to match Newcastle, with Tielemans looking particularly disappointing.

He was dominated time and time again in the middle of the park, lacking the desire to come out on top against his Toon opponents – the people who could soon be his teammates.

Bruno won the player of the match award, and put on a clinic that Tielemans should be paying attention to.

The intensity from the Newcastle midfield was incredible, and should have sent a message to both Tielemans and the Toon recruitment team. Right now, he would not get in this side. And he does not look like a player suited to the all-action style that Howe has implemented.

That could obviously change, but with money tight and the threat of financial fair play looming large, Newcastle officials might suddenly be thinking again about trying to sign Tielemans after last night.