The Sven Botman dilemma - do Newcastle United need to find another Malick Thiaw?
Sven Botman has been fit for just 45 per cent of Newcastle United’s fixtures since the start of the 2023-24 season.
Amid the fan frenzy surrounding Malick Thiaw - Newcastle United’s latest defensive cult hero - Eddie Howe delivered a worrying injury update on his supposed long-term partner at centre-back. Sven Botman arrived as the blue-chip defender destined to lead the Magpies for years to come, but injuries continue to derail what is still very much a promising career.
"With Sven, he's going to see a specialist in the next couple of days to get a definitive opinion on whether he needs an injection or whether he's able to rest for a few days and resume training,” Howe told reporters ahead of tonight’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur.
It is a testament to Botman’s potential that he was the first name Newcastle headhunted as the future of their defence. PIF failed in the first transfer window - with the club staring at a possible relegation - to sign the talented Dutchman.
But a fresh attempt in the summer saw the Magpies stave off interest from AC Milan to finally get their man. With the benefit of hindsight, there were a couple of ironies lost in the whirlwind of those post-takeover transfer windows.
Newcastle turned to Dan Burn as a stopgap signing that January. Milan also moved for Thiaw in the summer after failing to sign Botman. Both will likely start for United tonight while the 25-year-old recovers from his latest injury setback.
In his debut season, Botman was a revelation. He helped Newcastle secure Champions League qualification for the first time in 20 years - playing 44 times across all competitions.
However, through a mixture of mismanagement and bad luck, he has seldom hit those same heights since. From the beginning of the 2023-24 campaign, Botman has been fit for just 45 per cent of Newcastle’s fixtures.
That equates to 55 of a possible 119 games. Availability is the best ability - and a lack of it could be why Botman has been overlooked by the Dutch national team.
The defender’s latest setback also comes at a time when his representatives will be aiming for leverage in contract negotiations. Botman’s current deal has 18 months left to run and Newcastle are keen to tie him down.
There were murmurings earlier in the season of Botman becoming slightly frustrated at his lack of game time, with Howe valuing Dan Burn and Fabian Schar’s reliability. The duo turn 34 this season but, as it stands, Botman has done little to dislodge them in the pecking order.
On paper - and as he has been proven in the past - the £32million man should be Thiaw’s dance partner in defence. But any further time on the treatment table and Newcastle could be delving back into the market for a more robust option.