Newcastle, Eddie Howe and Paul Mitchell must move on after transfer window shortcomings | Football News

Newcastle fans were expecting to catch their first glimpse of a new signing at Wolves on Sunday. Marc Guehi, perhaps Anthony Elanga. That didn’t quite work out that way. Instead, they’ve come away with more questions than answers about the direction of the club.

Sporting director Paul Mitchell, appointed in July, had a difficult first transfer window, failing to sign a single first-team player. Suggestions that he considered quitting because of tensions with Eddie Howe appear to be off the mark, but their relationship remains in the spotlight.

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Howe is unlikely to be happy going into the season without any significant reinforcements, especially when there was money to spend. A total of £70m bid for Guehi was on the table, while Crystal Palace are said to want just £5m more.

Mitchell insists the lack of signings was not down to a lack of ambition but simply to setting a precedent, and believes there is a ‘Saudi tax’ on Newcastle from their wealthy owners, who have an estimated fortune of around £740 billion.

While it’s not exciting for Newcastle fans to hear, this is seemingly a sensible, patient approach to recruitment. However, it doesn’t match the late, seemingly desperate bid for Nottingham Forest’s Elanga on Deadline Day that could have been £50m.

If centre-back was identified as the priority position, why were no plans drawn up in case Palace stuck to the valuation that Newcastle were so unwilling to meet? And why was the bidding for Elanga so high that Forest signed for just £15m last summer?

Teething problems are expected as a new head coach is appointed midway through the transfer window, an event most clubs plan 12 months in advance. However, the disruption has come at a delicate time for Newcastle and their development.

Newcastle were considered ahead of schedule a year ago, with their first Champions League campaign since 2003, and on a steady course to challenge the status quo of the traditional ‘Big Six’ for years to come. Not so much now.

Howe said the new structure “has to work for everyone” following changes at board level last summer, which saw co-owners Amanda Staveley, a close ally of his, and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi leave after former sporting director Dan Ashworth departed.

The timing of the England job becoming available created the perfect storm. Howe, who was shortlisted by the FA, insisted Newcastle had his unwavering commitment – but added that this was dependent on his support and the ability to work in his own way.

Hardly the message Newcastle would have wanted to send at the start of the summer – what followed would not have allayed any concerns. Reports in the North East claim Howe and Mitchell are now determined to start a new chapter.

It is a matter of waiting, as the job in England remains vacant.

To Newcastle’s relief, the conversation should now turn to matters on the pitch, bringing their quiet triumph of the transfer window into sharper focus. Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak are all retained. Sandro Tonali is also back from suspension.

If the new Howe-Mitchell axis bears fruit, Newcastle have a hugely talented squad to build on and – without the challenge of European football to contend with – there is no reason why they cannot improve on last season’s inconsistent campaign.

Results so far have been positive and performances functional – a solid base, especially after a long summer that was so demanding for players with international commitments. Especially the 2-1 win over Tottenham last time out should give confidence a boost.

Howe’s team reminded us of their ruthless efficiency. Spurs had roughly double Newcastle’s output in the key attacking statistics – shots, shots on target and possession – but not in the scoreline.

Following this study with promising results is the perfect antidote to the noise.

If Newcastle get anywhere near those European venues in January, the new structure will have a chance to make amends by re-engaging the big vocals they were unable to deliver over the summer.

That of course depends on the right players being available at the right price, but presumably there will be money to spend after the relatively meagre spending of the last window. A post-January bump has worked for Newcastle before.

Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn were brought in during the 2022 winter window, taking Newcastle from relegation candidates to mid-table. They qualified for the Champions League the following season. The precedent is there.

Mitchell, previously of Tottenham, RB Leipzig and Monaco, also has an impressive track record in recruitment, with Heung-Min Son, Sadio Mane and Dele just some of the signings on his resume.

Perhaps there is more for Newcastle fans to enjoy than first meets the eye before their trip to Molineux.

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