Former Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye has said we need a bigger squad and gave his suggestions for two signings.
Our concerning lack of depth is obvious with limited quality options outside of our starting XI, compounded even further in attack by the sales of right-wingers Yankuba Minteh and Miguel Almiron.
Elliot Anderson’s departure left us with six in midfield, enough to compete on multiple fronts on numbers alone, but Joe Willock has been far from his best, Lewis Miley is still only 18, and Sean Longstaff may also be on the way out of the exit door.
Yohan Cabaye believes Newcastle have no need to look outside the Premier League for the answer to two key signings this summer.
Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is one who has been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle this summer, with the versatile forward solving the problem of depth both on the right wing and as a rotation option with Alexander Isak.
Kevin De Bruyne announced in April that he will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season, and Cabaye believes Newcastle should aim to add him to their midfield rankings – though the Belgian would have to take a significant wage cut!
“Next season, Newcastle will probably need a bigger squad if they’re going to challenge for the title and also play in the Champions League,” Cabaye told TEAMtalk.
“They will need to improve the depth of the squad, and a player like Bryan Mbeumo, why not? He can bring energy to their attacking options.”
“I think Kevin De Bruyne is one of the players who is just in a different class in the Premier League. Even at 33 he still can be decisive. So yeah, it would be a massive signing.”
Not only must Newcastle strengthen their squad this summer, but they must not lose the quality additions they have already made in the PIF era.
Cabaye namechecked Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali as the trio that the Toon must keep if we are serious about continuing to progress and mix amongst the very elite of European football.
“I think [Eddie Howe] showed that he can elevate the club,” said Cabaye. “I like him as a manager. He is the right man to bring Newcastle even higher, but the Premier League is tough. And you need to have a big squad.”
“It would be a big loss for Newcastle United to lose either of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes. Isak’s important because he scores so many goals. Bruno, too, as we’ve seen recently and throughout the season, can be a goal threat too.
“I hope they keep both of them because the ambition of the project is clear, and they will have the Champions League again next season, almost certainly. Of course, it would be a tough loss. Isak scores goals, but so does Bruno as well, as we saw on Sunday.
“Sandro Tonali is also linked with a move away, but I’m not sure if Newcastle have to sell someone. I know that every club has to take into account issues of money, but I’m not sure the club will need to sell anyone.
“Tonali, too, is a really good player, really important. Maybe he’ll want to return to his country at some point, but if they keep all these players for next season, it’s a really positive step.”