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More Transfer Talk
13 Plays8 days ago
Nicola hosts Iain and Michael to discuss the imminent Anthony Elanga signing, whether or not we will sign a back up striker and who we would like that to be, and will Guehi come to Newcastle?
Host - Nicola Pringle-Adams
Guests - Iain Mackay & Michael Grahamslaw
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Transcript
Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to the Daily Newcastle podcast. I am your host Nicola. um I've not hosted one of these in way over ah about a month and a half because I've been on my holidays and I am joined by two lovely guests so I'll kick off with the first one.
Anthony Alanga's Potential Arrival
00:00:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm joined by Michael. How are you?
00:00:27
Michael Grahamslaw
Doing very well, thank you very much. How was you and how was the halls?
00:00:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Good. Holiday was good although I think the UK is even more hotter than what it was abroad um if anyone's watching i'm not i'm like absolutely sweating in my little office right now i am so hot glowing glistening and that leads me nicely into my second guest it's ian how are you
00:00:40
Iain
Glowing. You mean glowing, Nicola. You mean glowing.
00:00:50
Iain
I'm great. I'm doing fab. Thank you, Prask.
00:00:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
are you sure don't sound it ah yeah
00:00:54
Iain
Yeah, well...
00:00:54
Michael Grahamslaw
Do want to tell your voice that, buddy?
00:00:58
Iain
Really? Yeah, everything is good. We've got Anthony Alanga. Oh, spoiler alert.
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here we go.
00:01:05
Iain
No, we have done, haven't we?
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Well, yeah, we're struggling for content, guys, because it's very quiet over in the Newcastle camp um at the minute, other than our Anthony Alanga link.
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So we'll kick off part one, I suppose, of um but talking about Anthony Alanga coming into the Newcastle camp.
00:01:21
Iain
Thank
00:01:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I haven't fully caught up with all the pods, so I apologise if you guys have probably already covered this, um because you guys have been um holding the fort down whilst... um we've all been off on our jollies clearly um but me kevin joe was speaking about how um you know a couple months ago we were talking about who we would like to see come into the newcastle squad um in the summer transfer window this might have been an even last year when we're talking about it i actually said madowike um and i believe kev actually said he would love to see anthony langer and we touched on how we're looking forward to him coming in to um the squad and how exciting it will be um for newcastle so
00:01:37
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:01:54
Iain
Thank you.
00:01:54
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
00:02:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm going to ask that exact same question to you both. How are we feeling about our intimate signing? Michael, I'll come to you first.
00:02:13
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, I mean, it's pretty good. Anytime you can get ah a 20-year-old that's got more goals and assists in the last two seasons, something like Sipakaya Osaka, Kulosevsky, there's a lot of right-wingers who just simply haven't done what Alanga has done over the last two seasons.
00:02:29
Michael Grahamslaw
And it's not just a one-year thing. um He did it the year before as well. And let's be honest, he's a very exciting attacking talent that's going to help us on the counter-attack because... If you consider and Liverpool, Liverpool got 15 goals on the counter-attack last season and the Prem, we only got five.
00:02:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:02:44
Michael Grahamslaw
So you'd think with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes, etc.,
00:02:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
wow
00:02:48
Michael Grahamslaw
Obviously, very rarely those two play with each other, but Izak as well. You'd expect us to get a bit more. Alanga's definitely going to help with that. And he's a different kind of player to Jacob Murphy. Completely different. So it's one of those where it's going complement us really well. When teams have a bit of a low block, we've got someone for them.
00:03:05
Michael Grahamslaw
And then when we we've got our backs against the ball ah the wall a little bit, we've got Fabian Scherl on the turn just having a hoof it over the defence, hoping that someone's going to get out of it.
00:03:06
Iain
Thank you.
00:03:14
Michael Grahamslaw
We've got a AAA battery.
00:03:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Either Anthony going to get it.
00:03:16
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, we've got triple-A battery. Alexander, Anthony and Anthony all just running in behind and we'll get we'll get some extra goals that way. So I'm very happy about it, but let's sure up that defence next as well.
00:03:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I am ah in a complete agreement. And i actually said on the other night's pod that I really like when, obviously, Fabian Shah gets that moment in every game where he just does what he wants. So I'm looking forward to this season where he does choose Hooper over everyone and just hopes for the best that either Anthony or neither side are going to um are going to collect it Ian how are you feeling about our intimate signing and by the way guys we're recording this on Wednesday evening before 7 p.m so we are oh no it's Thursday isn't it Thursday Thursday yeah we're recording it Thursday before 7 p.m so by time this pod's done and dusted potentially it could have been announced so yeah we're waiting we're waiting and hoping
00:03:58
Iain
Mm-hmm.
00:03:59
Michael Grahamslaw
Yes, it's Thursday today.
00:03:59
Iain
Mm-hmm. First day the...
00:04:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Sorry, Ian, how are you feeling about it?
Signings and Squad Strengthening
00:04:12
Iain
Yeah, well, I think it's... I don't think there's any doubt that it's going to be announced because we have just looked in the last hour at the wee photographs of Anthony Alanga being introduced to some of his teammates.
00:04:24
Iain
So I don't think they'll doing that just because he was up in the North East for the evening.
00:04:25
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:04:28
Iain
I think that means he's definitely coming. I'm delighted. I'm delighted with it. I still... I mean, I i was in the Mbwemo camp at the end of the season.
00:04:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Same.
00:04:38
Iain
ah Very, very clearly, we weren't going to get that because he just wanted too much money.
00:04:39
Michael Grahamslaw
I'd agree, yeah.
00:04:44
Iain
I don't know Man United, who have been after him for the last seven weeks, are going to get it yet. they They're looking down the back of the sofa for a bit more cash, I think. But Alanga is a fantastic substitute.
00:04:56
Iain
His debts were... on a par with Jacob Murphy, with a pair of them on the right wing, this there's going to be a constant threat. I love the pace.
00:05:07
Iain
I love how it enhances what else we've got. He seems to slot into how we play very well. um Proof of the pudding, of course, will be in watching how he beds in.
00:05:19
Iain
but He's already got some established relationships with some key members of the team. um i'm I'm excited for it. I'm excited for it, providing it's the first of three, four, five signings this summer.
00:05:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
many
00:05:33
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, absolutely.
00:05:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep, me too.
00:05:33
Iain
Because I don't think that is enough. I think it improves us on the right wing, but I think we are looking for some more strength and depth in midfield, certainly some more reinforcements in defence.
00:05:46
Iain
And I'm not going to say a backup striker for Alexander Izak, because I think we're looking for a second striker
00:05:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:05:54
Iain
that can play with alex Alexander Izak sometimes or can take his place.
00:05:58
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, i think particularly in a long season like this where, you know, we were pretty, i think the minimum amount of games we're going to play is 48.
00:05:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. Come
00:06:07
Michael Grahamslaw
He's got the 38 in the league, 8 in ah the Champions League, and then, provided we're getting knocked out in the first round of the the two Cups, 48 games is still a lot.
00:06:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
on.
00:06:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Champions League.
00:06:17
Michael Grahamslaw
And I don't think Isaac's played more than 30 for us in either. So i might be i might be wrong. He might have just gone over in one of the seasons. But he's a little injury-prone, and I think it's going to be one of those where, if you bring it in a striker, you are saying to him that, look,
00:06:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep. Mm-hmm.
00:06:33
Michael Grahamslaw
If we do loan out a Sula, which to be fair, doesn't look likely. That room has been sort of debuffed ah today. But, you know, there's 18 games there minimum, really, that you're going to start.
00:06:44
Michael Grahamslaw
And for a Champions League club, that's that's still pretty good. So I agree with Ian. It could be a second striker, but I don't think it'll be someone of the the quality that we're really looking at, like a FISA or a...
00:06:57
Michael Grahamslaw
ah I nearly said a Dominic Calvert-Lewin. No, a Wissara Watkins.
00:07:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, God.
00:07:01
Michael Grahamslaw
I think it'll be someone more like a Dominic Calvert-Lewin, unfortunately.
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll touch on strikers in the second part um because that um we we we spoke about that before we started recording. um And obviously, we are aware that we are, obviously, with Callum Wilson's departure, that will be probably a position that um Eddie Howe is looking at. But ah just before we end part one, how many more realistic first team and i put that in sort of quotation marks, sign-ins, would you think we should make or would hope to make by the end of the window? um like Because this is probably realistically the first window where we're going to be really active um for what what's been over like what, two years now?
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:07:44
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:07:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so Michael, how many realistically would you like to see made? Obviously, realistically in our ah dreams are two different two different things, but yeah.
00:07:55
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah. Just to clarify, because it just it does change my answer. Are we talking starting 11 or just sort of starting 11 and bench as well? Because that kind of...
00:08:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll go start 11 and bench.
00:08:05
Iain
We've got Champions League squad, Michael.
00:08:06
Michael Grahamslaw
Okay.
00:08:08
Iain
That's what we need. We need that depth.
00:08:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:12
Michael Grahamslaw
Well, I think realistically, I'm trying to think about the squad, I think probably you're looking at 4-5. I'd love more, although I am an advocate for not changing too much in a small space of time.
00:08:25
Michael Grahamslaw
But I think in an ideal window, you are getting rid of the likes of, I hate say it, Matty Target and stuff like that.
00:08:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, my turn.
00:08:32
Michael Grahamslaw
um who Players who you know will be there as backups, but... realistically you could get rid of and you'd have to replace them. They'd probably end up costing you ah you know a little bit of a fee.
00:08:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:08:43
Michael Grahamslaw
But I think you could probably get five starters, two that would go ah along four alongside Alanga, two that would realistically go straight into the starting XI, goalkeeper, whether that would be James Trafford or not.
00:08:56
Michael Grahamslaw
um £40 million tells me not, to be honest. But if that's what Eddie Howe likes, it's what Eddie Howe likes and that's what we'll go with. But I'd also want a centre-back to go alongside Sven Botman and then two for the squad as well, where I'd go for another centre-back because...
00:09:14
Michael Grahamslaw
If it is Scalvini and Botman, they've had, i think, 117 games missed between them over the last two seasons. So you're going to need someone else in there as well. And then another central midfielder.
00:09:26
Michael Grahamslaw
I know Miley's due for a big year and apparently he is going to get it. He's not going to get loaned out, but you know The two players were looking to sell. We're looking long staff. You get rid of both of them.
00:09:37
Michael Grahamslaw
i think you need at least one more central midfielder in there. Or a number 10 if we'd like to change things up ah sometimes.
00:09:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
and she ah Yeah,
00:09:44
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:09:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
lovely. Ian?
00:09:48
Iain
i would i would I would advocate that we need even more than that, Michael. I go back to the Champions League season when we suffered because of injuries and nobody can say we didn't have a very stretched squad which impacted into the Premier League as well.
00:10:07
Iain
From that squad, we have lost Anderson and Mintes in that summer. And then in January, we lost Mickey and the event centre-half, who they must have forgotten already, Lloyd Kelly.
00:10:28
Michael Grahamslaw
Lloyd Kelly and to be fair neither Kelly or Minty were with us the Champions League
00:10:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
True.
00:10:30
Iain
So there's four out of our squad.
00:10:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
true
00:10:37
Iain
they were on He was in loan. he was he was Minter was part of the new capital but loaned out. So he was coming back for the next campaign, but we had to sell him.
00:10:49
Iain
So that was the right winger that would have supported Miggie and Murphy, and we didn't have him.
00:10:49
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:10:55
Iain
So we had Miggie all the way through the first half of the next season. The point is that there are, I suppose Lloyd contours himself out. He's in and out, isn't he? So I think we need to replace Lloyd Kelly.
00:11:05
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
00:11:08
Iain
I think we' we've got to build for the future and look at Babsar needing somebody right-footed. to be understudying him. I don't know if there's anybody in the reserves that can come through and do that.
00:11:21
Iain
I know there's ah it's a one, Heffernan, who's meant to be pretty good. Irish lad.
00:11:27
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:11:27
Iain
um maybe Maybe we need to be elevated some of the guys out of the under-21s and testing them without loaning them out first.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:11:36
Iain
um But then, yeah, we we lost Miggie. If that's the Alanga replacement, we're still a right-winger short from how we started that. We want to start that season.
00:11:47
Iain
um Anderson's gone and not being replaced. That's one midfielder. We're not talking about midfielder.
Goalkeeper Strategies: Is a Transfer Needed?
00:11:52
Iain
Wilson's obviously gone, which is the attacker. I think we need to replace him. I've lost Kemp.
00:11:57
Iain
The one person that we don't need to replace, I don't think, in terms of priorities, is the goalkeeper. But that's the one that's been done from day one. Although, when I was musing to myself last night, I just wondered if Newcastle are not meeting Burnley's £40 million.
00:12:15
Iain
because they think we could probably do without Stafford this season. but Let's just have that fail. Let's get Burnley relegated. Let's pick him up for the 25 we want to spend next year and go into this year with Dubravka and Pope.
00:12:30
Iain
Dubravka and Pope both cut the mustard in the second half of the Premier League last year. not like we're really, really short in that ah department. So I don't know. That might be a deliberately failed transfer because they want to keep the 35 it's going to cost.
00:12:45
Iain
to put it onto a backup striker, not a backup striker, a second striker or a replacement midfielder. It's really strange that they're not selling long staff when they get the chance to and that we've not heard anybody making any offers for Joe Willock.
00:13:01
Iain
Because I think we need to trade. I think we need to be trading our way to get the and and enough income in to get the players that we need.
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah let's touch on longstaff and willock in part two because um there was a few little room in well I mean, no long stuff was linked with leads, and but there was something I seen online earlier about Willock as well. So let me just break there um with an ad from Bionique and then we'll pick up back in part two.
00:13:59
Iain
Thank
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, part two. um
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll cover off Willock, Longstaff and um Backup Striker, but not Backup Striker, um depending on which way we're looking at it.
00:14:08
Michael Grahamslaw
what is that?
00:14:09
Michael Grahamslaw
Get
00:14:14
Michael Grahamslaw
out! Get out! Get out! Get out! Get out!
00:14:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So part two, we will kick off with Willock and Longstaff.
00:14:18
Michael Grahamslaw
Get out!
00:14:21
Michael Grahamslaw
Thank
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, Longstaff was, um the other day, was sent to be going. Was sent to be going to Leeds for 10 million plus 2 million add-ons or whatever it was.
00:14:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And now all of a sudden that has gone a wee bit quiet. um I'm not sure why. i don't know if you guys have seen anything. But on the same day, I seen that Joe Willock was also looking to be off to Leeds. I don't know if you guys seen that. um But apparently there was some interest from Leeds. and I think Joe might have sent something in the chat um or to me the other day about it.
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So let's touch on Longstaff. Obviously, has been a great servant to Newcastle, as we know. um But obviously, I personally do think it is time that we see him move on. And I think personally, he will suit Leeds to a T. Very hard worker um and will be great to them.
00:15:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Michael, what's your opinion on that? do we do you Have you seen anything while that deal has gone a bit quiet or was it just gone quiet?
00:15:18
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah, the the bits the bids have been rejected, apparently. um New tempos 2 apparently wasn't enough.
00:15:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:15:26
Michael Grahamslaw
Apparently we're going look to hold out for around fifteen twenty was what I was seeing, to be honest. doesn't make all that much sense to me. um
00:15:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:15:35
Michael Grahamslaw
Outside of the fact that it's a homegrown player from our under-23s.
00:15:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:40
Michael Grahamslaw
He was with us for the five years, obviously, so he meets that criteria. You need four. We've realistically got Longstaff and Miley. ah That would be it.
00:15:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:48
Michael Grahamslaw
So it would hinder us a bit selling Longstaff for the Champions League campaign. um So whether or not you think that 10 million is worth it, really, um but I would potentially say so. But I think Longstaff is one of those players that he needs to be playing week in, week out.
00:16:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:04
Michael Grahamslaw
He's not the kind of player that can come off the bench and you know change a game or see out the game really for you.
00:16:10
Michael Grahamslaw
He's one of those that he needs to be playing week in, week out because his strength is his stamina and his determination. if There's not a player...
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agreed.
00:16:17
Michael Grahamslaw
when you If you're in a relegation battle, and trust us, we know, if you're in a relegation battle, there's not a player you want more than Sean Longstaff because he'll run himself into the ground for you.
00:16:28
Michael Grahamslaw
If you're on the counter-attack, he's very good at getting on the edge of the box and um cutting it into the far corner um just on those breaks.
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:16:33
Iain
Mm-hmm.
00:16:36
Michael Grahamslaw
if you look at I watched the compilation of his best goals that Sky Sports put up earlier. And I was sitting and I was going, these are all the same goal and it's all us on the counter-attack, him sitting there on the edge of the box, just waiting for it.
00:16:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:16:50
Michael Grahamslaw
um Which, to be honest, I noticed a little bit. And to be honest, I will say it does sky it more often than not. Highlights compilations can't stop me from remembering that.
00:17:01
Michael Grahamslaw
um But yeah, it's it's it's one of those where I think he's a good player, but he needs to be playing week in, week out, and
Sean Longstaff's Possible Move to Leeds
00:17:07
Michael Grahamslaw
he's not going to do that at Newcastle.
00:17:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agreed.
00:17:09
Michael Grahamslaw
So...
00:17:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:10
Michael Grahamslaw
If they're willing to take it up to 15 million, don't think we say no. But as it stands, for me, just accept the 10 and plus two. Let him move on.
00:17:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I agree.
00:17:20
Michael Grahamslaw
Let him further his career.
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:21
Michael Grahamslaw
And let him be one of the reasons that Sunderland go down. Because Leeds stale.
00:17:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agreed. Yeah. Agreed. Ian, do you agree?
00:17:29
Michael Grahamslaw
Mm-hmm.
00:17:30
Iain
Well, I can see the logic sort of keeping him because it affects how many people we put in our Champions League squad. But I think the club has said they're not going to stand in his way if they get an acceptable offer.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:43
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:17:43
Iain
And I think Longstaff himself has said, look, tell me now and you'll get some money in for me rather than keep me on the bench for the year.
00:17:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:17:52
Iain
And You know, he might pick up some more winner's medals if he does that. But I think it does him great credit that he's he's come and said that. It seemed like a good move for Newcastle ampes and Leeds and Longstaff, so I'm not really sure what the hold-up is.
00:18:07
Iain
Maybe we're just asking Leeds to come back with another couple of mils. But then that seems like a real penny-pinching exercise. If we can suddenly go from £60 million up to £80 million for Ekotike on our second striker bid, he was very odd.
00:18:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah it is very odd um i suppose we'll see it play out over the next couple of weeks i suppose um speaking of strikers shall we discuss our need or potential for a backup striker not backup striker um Who would you both like to see come in if we are in the market for one?
00:18:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which realistically, I think we should be looking at one. But um' I'm just little old me sitting in a really hot office and not knowing what i'm talking about. So who would you go for?
00:18:55
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh, I
00:18:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
and Obviously, we've mentioned um i can never pronounce his name. Can someone help me out here? It's like a little tongue twister. Etty K.
00:19:04
Iain
Eketike.
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Etty K.
00:19:04
Iain
No.
00:19:05
Michael Grahamslaw
ah thought you were saying Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
00:19:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:19:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
and um
00:19:08
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:19:09
Iain
you
00:19:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't ever get it. um Obviously, he rejected us back in 2022. And now all of a sudden he's, well, he's not interested. I think it's a lot of agent talk, as Michael said, but he's obviously looking for a move.
00:19:20
Michael Grahamslaw
yeah
00:19:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how are we feeling? Who would we like to see? Obviously, realistically as well, if we're looking to get a striker, this striker that potentially will come in has got to be kind of OK with being second to
Finding a Striker to Complement Isak
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Alexander Isak. So what strikers are in the market that are going to be happy to do that.
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know.
00:19:41
Iain
Well, I would disagree with you there, Nicolam.
00:19:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ian?
00:19:44
Iain
I don't think you've got to sell.
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:19:46
Iain
Come in. I mean, if you're saying to Calvert-Lewin you can sign for free, then there'll be an assumption that he's there as a backup for covering Alexander Isaac, the same way as Talon Wilson would have been if he'd done his pay-to-play contract they were trying to get.
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:20:03
Iain
I think if you're buying a striker, you want to bring somebody in who can play alongside Isaac, can... play behind him maybe, can can also cover Gordon, Alanga, Barnes, but also give Izak some proper competition.
00:20:27
Iain
It's not longer, we can remember what it was like that Champions, first Champions League season when Wilson and Izak were interchangeable and they would they just both made each other of score more regularly.
00:20:39
Iain
And then when they both played together, It was super exciting because we just looked like we were going to score every 10 minutes. I think we need a striker like that. And I think, as Michael said, minimum 48 games. Let's say we have a decent run in both of the Cubs.
00:20:53
Iain
We might be playing 60 games.
00:20:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:20:56
Iain
and And if EZAP doesn't start any more than 30 of those, then somebody else is going to start 30 games. And come on as a substitute in the bulk of the other games as well.
00:21:08
Iain
So there's a massive of role there.
00:21:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:21:10
Iain
I think that's why we were after Joe Pedro and spending, what was that? 50 million we wanted to spend.
00:21:17
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:21:17
Iain
I've forgotten, so 50 million and and another tenner.
00:21:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:21:23
Iain
So if we're spending that sort money, we want a first team player. We want somebody who's an integral part of the first team. um But I do think that that needs somebody who's versatile because I don't i don't think how we've got used to our first choice team lining up in that
00:21:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eh.
00:21:41
Iain
4-3-3 formation and we could probably all we could all pick a first team and would have nine or ten of the eleven each um i think we need this versatility so they we don't even know what our formation is and we couldn't tell out of the squad of 16 or 18 good players that we have who it would be that would be forming part of the first team 11 on any given saturday in the way that Liverpool do, for example, or Manchester City do.
00:22:12
Iain
That's what we've got to be aiming for if we want to compete with these teams. And we definitely want to compete with these teams.
00:22:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agreed.
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Michael, do you agree?
00:22:20
Iain
Michael's looking i even like that was something bollocks I was talking.
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, sorry. He's like,
00:22:25
Michael Grahamslaw
i just ah I just think there's no chance of that happening. I think when Newcastle United, we're not a Liverpool or a mance Manchester City. And if you bring in someone in, like what we're saying there is, oh, we might play 60 games and you know Alexander Isaac might not be um fit enough to play. He might get an injury. He might do this.
00:22:44
Michael Grahamslaw
It's realistically, no striker worthy salt is going to want to do that at Newcastle United. You can get away with it even at Manchester United. um which is annoying, but it's it's the position we are as a club.
00:22:58
Michael Grahamslaw
We're on the way up. We're doing well, but I don't think we're were there yet. And I think this there are players that you could potentially get, um but I don't think Etetike,
00:23:10
Michael Grahamslaw
um Wissar, Watkins, those are the three that we've been linked with recently. I don't think any of those come in for the part of, by the way, Alexander Azak is always going to be number one.
00:23:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:23:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:23:23
Michael Grahamslaw
But you'll get thirty you'll potentially get 30 games a season, maybe 3,000 minutes across all comps.
00:23:28
Michael Grahamslaw
I think the only players that are really going to do that are players that are maybe already doing it. um And we can just give them more money for doing it, potentially. But we're not going to break our wage structure to do that. So it's...
00:23:41
Michael Grahamslaw
It's a really difficult one. It's why I see Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming in and I really hope he doesn't. um But we're linked with Rodrigo Munoz from Fulham who basically does that Fulham but he's got a good goal record when he comes on.
00:23:54
Michael Grahamslaw
The one that's perfect for that, and he won't come because yeah his wages will be too high and he's already doing it at ultimately a bigger club than Newcastle, is Alexander Soloff. Only started 15 games in La Liga last season, but got 20 goals. He's absolutely clinical player.
00:24:13
Michael Grahamslaw
He's massive, honestly. He's a completely different player to Alexander Rezac, and he gives us something completely different. like DCL, but actually is a good player.
00:24:24
Michael Grahamslaw
um But again, he's 29, doesn't really fit the bill. So it's really difficult to see who we're going to go for.
00:24:29
Iain
what How, in that case, does a centre-forward, an all-out centre-forward that Arsenal are trying to spend a fortune on but might be pulling out of, in terms of Jokeres, how does Sweden manage to get Jokeres, Izak and Lange in their forward line, if they're not injured, every single international player?
00:24:50
Michael Grahamslaw
Because they play a 4-4-2. They play a 4-4-2. We don't play a 4-4-2.
00:24:57
Iain
Well, I know, but there's no rule that says that we can't try that.
00:24:58
Michael Grahamslaw
Simple.
00:25:01
Michael Grahamslaw
wow so Eddie Howe's never played a 4-4-2 with us yet.
00:25:01
Iain
Is there?
00:25:04
Michael Grahamslaw
He did a bit with Bournemouth, but it's going to be one of those he's he's not going to change it like that. He's been very rigid with his strictum.
00:25:09
Iain
I think he wants us
00:25:10
Michael Grahamslaw
He was changed it a little bit last year. The reason we went for a João Pedro, so we could have someone who could play, you know, perhaps in a number 10, perhaps as a forward, perhaps on the left wing, perhaps on the right wing, was good against a low block.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:25:24
Michael Grahamslaw
It's, It's one of those where that was a surprising signing. I don't think... I didn't really want that either. I don't like him as a player, but he he did look good for Chelsea the other night. So it's one of those where I don't think we're changing the system not to bring in another player when it's it gave us so much success over the last...
00:25:42
Michael Grahamslaw
Two, three years? How long did it take when to get the the three at the back actually working in games for us? We saw it in friendlies two years ago. Last year was the first time where we actually saw and went, wow, this is good.
00:25:54
Michael Grahamslaw
So or we've but either we've been working on something for a while, which I don't think we have.
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:00
Michael Grahamslaw
Obviously, I'm not i'm not seeing training. But I think if we're going to move to two up top, it's not going to be this season.
00:26:02
Iain
That's okay.
00:26:05
Michael Grahamslaw
It might be next. when Iza potentially goes and we get two very good strikers to come in and you know play that way. But it's not I don't think it's happening in this season at all.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I do think if we get a striker through the door, um he is that striker is coming in with the full intention of knowing they are sitting on the bench behind Alexander Isak.
00:26:17
Iain
i think
00:26:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that is my opinion, um which accounts for nothing, really, because I don't know anything. and But um yeah, I do think...
00:26:34
Iain
yeah
00:26:34
Michael Grahamslaw
but
00:26:36
Iain
ah Why why are we talking about João Pedro then? why we were I mean, we were after João Pedro for a month. He wouldn't have sat on the bench.
00:26:44
Michael Grahamslaw
He did for Danny Welbeck last season.
00:26:44
Iain
And I guess...
00:26:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, yeah, he
00:26:46
Iain
Because he's fallen out with the yeah manager, though, didn't he? And that's why he was looking to move.
00:26:51
Michael Grahamslaw
ah He was doing it the start of the season as well, to be fair. Pedro's minutes weren't that good. And when it was, he was actually playing behind Welbeck. There's a reason Danny Welbeck had his best season last season than any he's had before. Because, i mean one, he stayed fit, but he played more games than he's ever played, which is...
00:27:09
Michael Grahamslaw
I mean, baffling. Joe Pedro is much better than Danny Welbeck, and obviously it must have been a manager preference.
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Much better.
00:27:13
Iain
Mm-hmm.
00:27:15
Michael Grahamslaw
But and i he was on the bench for the most part. Same with Muniz. So the players we're linked with, they've got experience of being sort of bench players who come on, play a little bit less, and but they're still, well...
00:27:28
Michael Grahamslaw
Pedro seemed to be happy for half the season. ah Doesn't know exactly when the falling out happened. Definitely not happy at the end of the season. But i think that's I think that's what we're looking for.
00:27:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, definitely.
00:27:39
Michael Grahamslaw
Someone who's okay in that position. And will just you know we could even say, Isak is leaving next season. and Maybe you'll be you'll have the chance to be number nine next season.
00:27:51
Michael Grahamslaw
We could always draw players in with that, actually. like The number nine.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Number nine, yeah.
00:27:54
Michael Grahamslaw
Isak's going to want to stay fourteen
00:27:55
Iain
what do you think about but what what do you think about starting with Ekotike because the EZAC might be going this season and this summer
00:28:04
Michael Grahamslaw
He's actually not going this season.
00:28:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not going this season, no. No way.
00:28:08
Iain
why are we bothering to talk to Ekotike then there's got to be a reason a reason for it
00:28:09
Michael Grahamslaw
No chance.
00:28:12
Michael Grahamslaw
Why not? It's agent talk.
00:28:15
Michael Grahamslaw
It's like a free transfer link we're in with.
00:28:18
Iain
We'll see how it plays out, but I bet you Liverpool, once Nunoz and Diaz have been sold, will be back for Gordon and Isaac. That's my prediction. And I've recorded it now, so we'll see.
00:28:28
Michael Grahamslaw
I don't think they'll sell i don't think they'll they'll sell Diaz and after the Jota tragedy.
Liverpool's Interest in Newcastle Players
00:28:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:28:34
Michael Grahamslaw
They were reluctant beforehand. I think it's very much no chance now.
00:28:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:28:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
No way.
00:28:39
Michael Grahamslaw
And Nunes, he might get sold, but it's £40 million.
00:28:43
Michael Grahamslaw
i I think the they've got enough they've got too many gaps as as a squad to to spend another £100 million on one player. Isaac's not going anywhere this year, but you I think he will next year, to be honest.
00:28:54
Iain
but <unk>ve got some fantastic They've got some fantastic young lads that can step up from their under-21s. They've already got 35 for Kwanzaa.
00:29:05
Iain
They sell Elliott for 45, that's 80. And if they do get rid of Menounes for 40, there's your 120 to go with Kelleher's 18. And the, what's it called, Doak, that they're sold for 10.
00:29:19
Iain
ten There's 150, Michael, they've got it there without without really putting too much of a hole in their squad.
00:29:26
Michael Grahamslaw
I was forgetting they've just spent a hundred odd million on a, on vert and they don't rate. They're one of the lower spenders than us over the last five years. Their owners don't like spending money.
00:29:35
Iain
Well, I think they...
00:29:37
Michael Grahamslaw
They're not going to put 230, 260, sorry, players. two hundred and sixty sorry um two players
00:29:44
Iain
Well, we'll see, ah because because if it's not us, Eketike, who wants to come to the Premier League, will be going to Liverpool. And that will put 90 onto to what they've already spent.
00:29:55
Iain
So I don't think Liverpool have finished yet.
00:29:56
Michael Grahamslaw
I'd love it if he went to Liverpool. Because if he goes to Liverpool, he'll flop just as much as Nunes. Genuinely, if you took all the composure out of Alexander-Izac, you'd maybe get something close to Atatiki.
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
think he will?
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:30:11
Iain
Let's see. He's in the same point
00:30:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well...
00:30:12
Michael Grahamslaw
Just a B-Tech. B-Tech Alexander-Izac.
00:30:15
Iain
Yeah, but he's at the same point as Isaac was when we went and got him out of Spain. Now, same age. I think he's got all of that maturity still to come.
00:30:27
Iain
And I think that's why they're asking for such a high value for him. um
00:30:32
Michael Grahamslaw
It is weird that they're asking for that when Marmouche went for...
00:30:32
Iain
You know,
00:30:35
Michael Grahamslaw
How much did all Marmouche go for? Because it was ah it was definitely less than that.
00:30:38
Iain
under 50, I think.
00:30:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not sure actually.
00:30:42
Iain
I think it was just under 50.
00:30:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
shall like
00:30:45
Michael Grahamslaw
Oh, €70 million.
00:30:47
Iain
All right.
00:30:47
Michael Grahamslaw
€70 million plus €5 million add-ons. was going to say, Marmouche was the star player for Frankfurt when he was there. Etatika has come through and done well. It is worth noting that Frankfurt have signed another the striker.
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:00
Michael Grahamslaw
um I can't remember name off the top my head. um German fella who's just broken into the national team. So, you know, they potentially have already bought a replacement.
00:31:10
Michael Grahamslaw
It could just be for Marmush though. But yeah, it's it's it's one of those where I think he he's an okay player, but I genuinely don't think we'd look at him twice.
00:31:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, not after.
00:31:23
Iain
Fair enough.
00:31:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
What happened a few years back as well. well um Well, I've only got about a couple of minutes left before my laptop will give out.
00:31:26
Iain
Are we doing your Zenni then?
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
As we all know, I get technical difficulties around the 35-minute mark.
00:31:35
Iain
yeah.
00:31:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
So you can sum it in three minutes. Go for it.
00:31:41
Iain
Don't need to, Michael.
00:31:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh,
00:31:43
Iain
I was there. I told everybody last night.
00:31:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK.
00:31:47
Iain
I told everyone. told everyone do it last night.
00:31:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:31:49
Iain
Talk for the last couple of minutes about whether we're going to buy Mark Gahey. because he's back on the agenda today.
00:31:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, here's a question for you that you can give me a yes or you can give me one-word answer um with a little briefing.
00:31:55
Iain
He's
00:31:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
If it came down to, because I don't think we'll to bring in both, obviously we're linked with Mark Gahey again. This is like a never-ending bloody romance novel. um If we can get one, Gahey or s Scalvini, are you taking?
Wrap-up and Future Discussions
00:32:15
Michael Grahamslaw
Gehy.
00:32:15
Iain
getting to me all day.
00:32:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gahey for me.
00:32:17
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:32:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, me too.
00:32:17
Iain
He's got and two functioning legs.
00:32:18
Michael Grahamslaw
I think it's a safer option.
00:32:22
Iain
Two functioning legs. We've already got one block.
00:32:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do we think he's going to... Do we think we're going to get it over the line? Do we think do we think he's coming?
00:32:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't see it.
00:32:30
Michael Grahamslaw
No, he goes to Liverpool next season.
00:32:30
Iain
Depends if...
00:32:32
Michael Grahamslaw
He's leave let his contract run out and goes to Liverpool to replace Canadi.
00:32:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
You think?
00:32:32
Iain
Depends if...
00:32:36
Iain
It depends if Liverpool get him or not.
00:32:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sick of Liverpool. Sick of them.
00:32:41
Iain
No.
00:32:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm absolutely sick of them.
00:32:42
Iain
do They can buy all these players, the same as Chelsea, but they can only play 11 of them when they turn up play against us.
00:32:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh.
00:32:45
Michael Grahamslaw
Yeah.
00:32:50
Iain
Right?
00:32:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agreed.
00:32:51
Iain
That's what we've got to hang on to.
00:32:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Agreed. Yeah. Well, that brings us to the end of it, um of Newcastle's transfer saga. um Obviously, whilst we've been called in this, langer still not being announced officially.
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So we will be back on Monday with, I'm sure, a load of other rumours of transfers whilst we um await over the weekend. So thank you both for joining.
00:33:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I think I'm on on Sunday with one of you two.
00:33:19
Iain
Thank you.
00:33:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, I don't know. Anyway, I shall speak to you guys over the weekend. and Thank you, everyone, for listening.