2024/25 has been the season of the underdog – something Newcastle United are aware of more than most, having seen off Premier League champions, Liverpool, to claim Carabao Cup glory at Wembley earlier this year.
A central part of ending the Magpies’ lengthy silverware drought has been the underdog’s underdog, Jacob Murphy, with the previously maligned Englishman enjoying a simply sensational campaign at St James’ Park.
Eight years on from joining from Norwich City, the long-serving speedster has finally found his groove, having enjoyed steady improvements last term after finishing with 11 goals and assists in what was, at that point, by far his best-ever Premier League campaign.
A year on, the 30-year-old is now basking in the success of a 2024/25 season that ended with almost double the number of league goal involvements, having rightly been lauded for his “absolutely incredible” form by pundit Daniel Sturridge.
Unfortunately for Murphy, however, it looks likely that he’ll face a battle to hold down a starting berth on the right flank next term, not least with Eddie Howe and co seemingly chasing the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Mohammed Kudus.
Latest on Newcastle's interest in Mbeumo and Kudus
There is an argument that Murphy’s ascension has simply come as a result of the lack of alternatives available to Howe on that right-hand side, particularly with Miguel Almiron returning to Atlanta United back in January.
Of course, the experienced winger deserves credit for taking his chance with both hands, although it has been evident that a fresh face is what the Magpies truly want – not least after bidding £50m for Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga last summer.
Now heading into another summer window, all eyes are on Brentford’s Mbeumo, with reports suggesting that PIF are ready to make a bid for the Cameroon international, amid rival interest from Manchester United.
The £60m-rated sensation has enjoyed a remarkable rise of his own, having scored 20 league goals for the Bees this season, with a departure from the Gtech now looking a possibility with just a year left on his current deal.
While the 25-year-old looks to be the club’s leading target, an alternative option has emerged in the form of West Ham United’s Kudus – with the latest reports indicating that the Hammers could accept a bid of around £65-£70m.
As those price tags emphasise, plugging that gap on the right flank certainly won’t come cheap for those on Tyneside, with the club perhaps ruing their decision to cash in on their own Mbeumo and Kudus hybrid.
Newcastle already sold their own Mbeumo and Kudus
Following a season that ended with a League Cup triumph and Champions League qualification, it is difficult to suggest anything should have been done differently, with the Magpies riding the crest of a wave right now.
That said, in years to come the club may look back on last summer’s PSR-enforced transfer activity with a tinge of regret, having sold homegrown sensation, Elliott Anderson, to Nottingham Forest for £35m, while also allowing Yankuba Minteh to join Brighton and Hove Albion for £30m.
In the case of the latter man, he never actually made an appearance for Newcastle, prior to his swift exit, with the Gambian initially signing from Danish side Odense, before joining Feyenoord on loan for the 2023/24 campaign.
That stint in Holland, while working under Arne Slot, saw the 20-year-old register 16 goals and assists in 37 games in all competitions, with one scout even noting that he could “reach Sadio Mane[‘s] level” in the future.
An obvious talent then, although with the Magpies needing to comply with financial regulations, the decision was taken to offload Minteh to the Seagulls, a move that has since yielded 12 goals and assists for the young winger. For comparison, Kudus ended the season with just nine goals and assists.
Non-penalty goals
0.17
0.40
0.29
Shots
2.61
2.08
1.66
Assists
0.10
0.18
0.20
Shot-creating actions
3.72
3.80
3.13
Pass completion
83.6%
66.1%
62.5%
Progressive passes
2.75
3.72
2.35
Progressive carries
3.41
3.43
4.41
Successful take-ons
3.20
1.37
2.25
Touches in attacking box
4.41
4.43
7.15
Progressive passes received
7.51
9.25
9.84
A direct left-footer, with pace to burn, who operates on the right flank, the Brighton starlet certainly shares a more than passing likeness to both Mbeumo and to Kudus, a fact that has been reinforced by FBref noting that the pair are among the Premier League players deemed to be statistically similar to him.
The trio are particularly alike with regard to their dribbling prowess, as evidenced in their successful take-on percentage, while they are all adept ball carriers, who can drag their team up the pitch.
Tipped to have “a massive future” in the game by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley – who suggested last year that Newcastle’s right wing woes would be “solved” by integrating the youngster – Minteh looks to be the type of player that Howe and co are chasing this summer.
Yes, the Tynesiders could well forget all about that 2024 sale, if one of Kudus or Mbeumo makes the move this time around, although it may well sting that they could have fixed their problem position a year ago.
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