Despite last Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final defeat against Manchester United, there is still plenty to for between now and the end of the season for Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United squad.
The Magpies have enjoyed remarkable progress under the guidance of the former Bournemouth manager as the thoughts of relegation into the Championship that enveloped St James Park just over a year ago have been replaced with an unexpected push for a Champions League place and a first major cup final appearance in almost quarter of a century.
No matter what happens between now and the end of the campaign, it has been another season of improvement and the foundations are slowly being put in place to make the Magpies a more consistent challenger for major honours over the coming years.
But what comes next in the transfer market? NewcastleWorld fires up Football Manager 2023 to see how the world’s most popular managerial simulation predicts the summer will play out at St James Park.
5. CB: Goncalo Inacio
A fee of £39m gave Botman a new defensive partner as Sporting Lisbon’s highly-rated centre-back Goncalo Inacio was tempted to Tyneside. Photo: PAUL ELLIS
6. CM: Guido Rodriguez
Another new face as Real Betis star Guido Rodriguez adds some ballast to Howe’s midfield after completing a £48m move to St James Park. | AFP via Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
7. CM: Bruno Guimaraes
Of course, there is still Bruno in the middle and he is playing in a more advanced role after Rodriguez’s arrival. Photo: George Wood
8. CM: Joelinton
Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock remain part of Eddie Howe’s squad but it’s Joelinton that takes the third and final midfield spot. Photo: Julian Finney