Newcastle have been crushed 1-0 by a Ok-League XI on the Suwon World Cup Stadium in South Korea, as their summer time of woe confirmed little signal of easing.
A defeat and a significant harm have been two additional blows to Eddie Howe because the uncertainty over Alexander Isak’s future hangs over the membership.
The one purpose was scored by Jin-kyu Kim for the hosts as they outshot Howe’s facet 15 to 13.
Our chief soccer reporter CRAIG HOPE was in attendance in Suwon and listed below are his 5 massive takeaways…
1. We all know they want a striker – this is their newest £40m goal
We knew this already, however one other pre-season recreation through which Newcastle failed to attain and win with out Alexander Isak introduced residence nonetheless additional the necessity for a brand new striker, if not two!
And here’s a new identify I can convey you. Myself and my Mail Sport colleague Simon Jones are working across the clock on transfers and we perceive Newcastle have made an off-the-cuff enquiry for Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz. No high-level talks have taken place, however intermediaries have been concerned in discussions and a payment of £40million has been mooted.
In the meantime, Newcastle are persevering with to pursue offers for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. Nevertheless, the sensation contained in the membership is that Sesko is more likely to go to Manchester United, which might be an enormous frustration given they’re so eager on the Slovenian.
That, although, might probably pave the best way for a transfer for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who’s on Newcastle’s shortlist. So is Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, however a number of others are forward of him at current.
Rodrigo Muniz (high) is the most recent goal on Newcastle’s radar, with a payment of £40million being mentioned
2. A regarding lack of vitality
There may be enormous mitigation, in fact. Firstly, the Suwon World Cup Stadium would make most UK greenhouses really feel like an igloo.
Even the locals have been saying this was unusually scorching and the federal government climate warning pinging on our telephones confirmed as a lot. Watch out with train, it mentioned, and so Newcastle have been! Secondly, the pitch wasn’t nice, a patchwork quilt of parched grass.
However… Newcastle weren’t nice, both. This can be a third straight defeat in pre-season and it was not simply vitality ranges that have been low. They have been low on inspiration and creativeness.
Once more, allow us to not make judgment, however I feel Howe would have hoped to see extra from what was a robust sufficient XI, together with doubtless Premier League starters Nick Pope, Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga.
They’d a couple of half possibilities, however the Koreans had extra and have been deserved winners.
Anthony Elanga was the principle shining gentle for Newcastle, regardless of the 1-0 defeat in Suwon
3. Elanga shines, however will get no help
Of these names above, Elanga was undoubtedly the choose, no less than early on. The pace of his motion, on and off the ball, actually catches the attention. There isn’t a scarcity of confidence, both.
What there does appear to be a scarcity of, nevertheless, is a reference to these round him. On a few events he performed crisp, early passes and his team-mates have been flat-footed.
However Elanga was a constructive for Howe, who wants all of the plusses he can get proper now!
4. Snoozing Suwon will get some Park life
The one participant who maybe upstaged Elanga was Seung-soo Park, the 18-year-old Korean who got here on for his Newcastle debut
The one participant who maybe upstaged Elanga was Seung-soo Park, the 18-year-old Korean who got here on for his Newcastle debut.
He practically despatched this stadium into orbit when the house hero’s first involvement took out three males earlier than successful a nook. He was at it once more quickly after, jinking out and in and away from opponents.
So low had the thrill ranges been, you have been urging his senior comrades to only give him the ball!
At full-time, Kieran Trippier (an unused substitute) made straight for Park and gave him a effectively deserved arm across the shoulder. I’d wish to see extra of him this pre-season, for positive.
Joe Willock was stretchered off with what appeared like a critical ankle harm
5. Get effectively quickly, Joe
However the night time did finish on an actual bitter observe, with Joe Willock stretchered off late on. He made a problem and instantly signalled to the dugout, clutching the again of his ankle. Willock has a historical past of achilles issues and it appeared like the same difficulty.
What a disgrace that might be for a participant dogged by harm in current seasons. It might additionally add a midfielder to Newcastle’s summer time wishlist…
