The most encouraging sound of the first two games of Newcastle United’s new era?
Not the roar of St James’ Park hailing five goals in a pair of encouraging results for their new-look team. Not the instructions barked out by dynamic new boss Matthias Jaissle from the touchline, either.
No, insiders have noted that the sound of defensive blocks – “The thwack of a football against limbs,” one said – is back at a Newcastle side that seem re-energised.
It is a tongue-in-cheek point but one that reveals much about where the club felt things had gone wrong with their misfiring squad last season, and what they have done to try and put it right in this summer of unprecedented change.
Commitment is key. There is an acknowledgement now that some of their most important players had “mentally checked out” before a wretched 2025-26 campaign was over and were already thinking about their next move. It was a situation they could not allow to be repeated.
The trait Newcastle want from incomings
Nico Gonzalez was unveiled at St James’ Park this week (Photo: Getty)So top of the character checks carried out on new arrivals this summer has been how desperate they were to play for Newcastle, how much they understood the project and the club’s vision.
Given the fraying commitment of some stars – Saturday’s opponent Sandro Tonali made it very clear he wanted to go – and the impact of being turned down for top targets last summer they only wanted players who wanted Newcastle.
So it is worth pointing out that all seven of the signings they have made so far have been hugely enthusiastic from the moment it was put to them, not least Nico Gonzalez, who “always wanted to sign” from the moment a £47m fee was agreed.
This matters. Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was the initial target for the hugely important No 6 role – before Jaissle’s appointment and the club opting to change focus to a much better fit in Gonzalez – and the framework of a deal was agreed.
But the player demurred and Newcastle were instantly put off. Crucially they now felt a move for Gonzalez, who had always been near the top of their shortlist in that position, was “possible” at the right price.
Excitement over Sean Steur
Tonali will line up for Tottenham on Saturday night and there is no ill will in the Newcastle hierarchy.
Indeed, insiders point out that the £100m that Spurs paid for him has been invested on three players who have refreshed the Magpies’ midfield: Gonzalez, Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba. None are at Tonali’s level yet but in time the £18m invested in Steur will be regarded as one of the bargains of this window.
There is hope Sean Steur will be regarded as a bargain (Photo: Getty)Newcastle are hugely excited by Steur and he has already showed his character and ability in games against Liverpool and West Brom.
An early example of his maturity came in meetings with the coaching staff where he arrived with clips and examples of things he could do better. “Elite mentality” is one phrase used to describe him.
They believe Gonzalez will plug into that feeling. He is a different player to self-styled talisman Bruno Guimaraes – who liked to be Captain Fantastic, driving things on – but will fit into a philosophy where the team, rather than individuals, will be the star.
“There is a real power in unity and everyone moving in the right direction,” a source told The i Paper.
Lewis Hall understands Newcastle stance
It is also why Newcastle supporters should be encouraged about the Lewis Hall situation. For all the talk from the Manchester United end that he is desperate for an out, talks over a new contract suggest Newcastle are optimistic he is ready to re-commit.
There is cold, hard logic at play here too. Newcastle have sold well this summer – getting well above market value for Tonali and a good fee for Guimaraes given his age – but they have also sent a signal to players that this is a project not afraid to trade anymore.
Newcastle hope Lewis Hall will sign a new deal (Photo: Getty)Careers can be progressed at Newcastle, either at St James’ Park or by securing big, lucrative moves away from the club if it’s mutually beneficial.
Hall gets that and is a good character. He’s “ignored” much of the speculation this summer but, understandably, any new deal should reflect his standing in the game as one of England’s best left-backs with better terms. It will be the focus when the transfer window shuts.
Four attacking talents being monitored – and Nick Woltemade latest
Before then, Newcastle have work to do and the desire factor is playing into their attempts to extricate Matias Fernandez-Pardo from Lille. The problem is not with the player – who is keen to move to Newcastle and has been unsettled enough by interest to be withdrawn from training – it is with his club, who are demanding a number Newcastle don’t want to move to.
He is one of “three or four” attacking targets being looked at in the final days of the window. “Multiple, concurrent conversations” with clubs and targets has been a mantra for Newcastle throughout this window and Stuttgart’s Bilal El Khannouss is another they are working on.
It feels like bringing in that versatile, mobile forward could turn a decent window into a very good one, also putting Nick Woltemade’s future back “in play”.
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Sources played down talk of Napoli making an enquiry for him – “We’ve not heard from them” – but clearly someone is sourcing interest in the striker just in case.
Newcastle are “very active” in the market but dominoes still need to fall. The only thing we can be certain about is if someone joins, they will be “all in” on Jaissle’s “Newcastle 2.0”.
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