Sunday has seen Harvey Barnes eventually introduced as a Newcastle United participant.
The winger signed from Leicester Metropolis for a extensively reported switch payment of across the £38m mark.
So why has Eddie Howe signed the 25 yr previous?
Effectively, some cracking evaluation (see under) from the official Premier League web site factors out precisely why.
It is rather thrilling the potential that Harvey Barnes might add to an already spectacular Newcastle United crew.
Official Premier League web site explains why Eddie Howe has signed Harvey Barnes:
‘The 25-year-old loved the best goalscoring season of his profession so far in 2022/23, registering 13 Premier League objectives for Leicester Metropolis.
Coming in off the left-hand facet, he confirmed us that his right-foot will be lethal across the penalty space on a constant foundation.
Linking with Wilson and Isak
Barnes is a robust runner who is tough to trace when he will get into his stride.
This could swimsuit a Newcastle crew that’s typically at its finest after they launch fast breakaways.
Solely Manchester United (102) made extra direct assaults than the Magpies (95) en path to a top-four end, so look out for the winger sprinting past the final defender.
Barnes used his pace to good benefit for the Foxes, scoring a collection of very comparable objectives final season.
Seven of his 13 objectives got here from the left-side of the field not more than 12 yards out, normally from surges into the world.
His closing strike in a Leicester shirt, towards West Ham United on the ultimate day, noticed him play a neat one-two across the field earlier than slotting in from the angle of the six-yard field.
This was trademark Barnes, and he additionally produced a close to equivalent effort at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Set to begin on the left for Newcastle, he’ll need to change passes with Callum Wilson or Alexander Isak, by on the lookout for wall passes that take him into the hazard zone.
How does this impression the beginning XI?
Barnes will probably be a alternative for Allan Saint-Maximin, who has been linked with a transfer to Saudi Arabian membership Al-Ahli.
Howe’s first-choice mixture through the second half of final season did see Joelinton occupy the left-wing spot with Joe Willock taking part in behind him on that facet of central midfield.
If Barnes begins, we may even see Joelinton and Willock competing for a spot contained in the midfield, alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.
Alternatively, Joelinton may very well be used as a right-side ahead as a substitute.
Barnes, who might function through the latter levels of the Summer season Sequence, just isn’t essentially the most inventive extensive participant.
In truth, he solely made 19 key passes within the entirety of 2022/23 for the Foxes.
His sport is best suited to breaking into the field and testing opposition ‘keepers with efforts on aim.
As proven within the desk under, his shot output and conversion price in contrast properly with Newcastle’s prime performers through the earlier marketing campaign.
Barnes v Newcastle’s attackers 2022/23:
The correct kind of signing
With Wilson and Isak each impressing within the striker’s position, Howe doesn’t must make a centre-forward signing his precedence this summer season.
Bringing in Barnes to compete with the likes of Miguel Almiron, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon for a winger’s spot makes extra sense.
There is no such thing as a doubt that Newcastle do want to attain extra objectives in open play.
The Magpies ended up with simply 48 open-play objectives from 38 matches, the joint-fewest amongst groups who completed inside the highest six.
High-six sides’ open-play objectives
This acquisition provides them a greater likelihood of reaching 50-plus within the season forward.
At 25, Barnes is a confirmed Premier League performer who seems able to make an impression at St James’ Park.’
