Newcastle land ideal Hall replacement in ‘promising’ 18-year-old

For all of the considerations about Newcastle United’s lack of leading edge this season, their protection stays reassuringly dependable.

Eddie Howe’s facet should be discovering their attacking rhythm, however defensively they’re one of many Premier League’s most resolute groups.

They’ve stored six clear sheets this season and have the second-lowest anticipated targets conceded (4.9) within the division, behind Arsenal.

That consistency has been important to conserving Newcastle inside putting distance of the highest 4, particularly given their Champions League efforts.

Signed from AC Milan, Malik Thiau seamlessly stuffed the void left by Fabian Sjar’s damage, forming a composed ball-playing partnership with Sven Botman on the coronary heart of the defence.

Calm on the ball and dominant in duels, the German has been one in every of Newcastle’s most constant performers to this point.

Nonetheless, simply as issues began to relax, Howe suffered a critical damage on the defensive finish.

The membership’s beginning full-backs, Tino Libramento and Lewis Corridor, have each suffered setbacks and are anticipated to be out for lengthy intervals of time.

Their absence leaves Newcastle short-handed in a variety of defensive areas, forcing a reshuffle that would check the squad’s depth amid a crowded autumn fixture listing.

Rotation is extraordinarily necessary for groups competing on a number of fronts.

However with the plain full-backs out and stopgap choices stepping in, the approaching weeks will reveal whether or not Newcastle’s defensive solidity can deal with the pressure.

Corridor and Byrne’s Newcastle success

Few gamers epitomize Newcastle’s progress underneath Howe greater than Corridor.

The left-back, who is just 19 years outdated, has made the place his personal since becoming a member of from Chelsea, combining vitality and composure in possession.

His overlapping runs and deliveries from extensive areas are key to Newcastle’s attacking transitions, and defensively his tempo permits them to keep up a excessive line.

However Corridor’s hamstring damage, which Howe admitted is “not a short-term factor,” has been an enormous blow.

This leaves Newcastle and not using a first-choice full-back at a time after they face high-pressing, counter-attacking groups each domestically and in Europe.

He will likely be tasked with filling the void in Dan Byrne’s absence.

The 6ft 7in defender has lengthy been a fan favourite for his dedication and management, however left-back is much from his pure position.

Byrne’s expertise and aerial dominance make him a strong stopgap, however his lack of restoration tempo may very well be uncovered, particularly when confronted with fast and direct wingers.

One-on-one duels and enjoying the ball on the again stay weaknesses.

Howe’s tactical changes attempt to compensate, with Botman typically overlaying extensive areas to guard Byrne.

Nonetheless, the upcoming video games will convey new challenges.

Newcastle’s subsequent league sport is a visit to Brighton, the place Yankuba-Minte’s velocity and trickery may check Byrne’s positional consciousness.

A stronger facet than Nottingham Forest, who made little use of the left channel in Newcastle’s final league sport, will little doubt goal this imbalance.

There may be additionally the query of whether or not Newcastle can depend on the free agent market as momentary cowl.

Howe is reluctant to disrupt the crew’s chemistry, however accidents to his protection have restricted his choices.

With each full-backs sidelined and a slew of Champions League video games on the horizon, strain is mounting for a brand new answer – maybe one which already exists inside the membership.

Newcastle academy left-back answer

Enter Leo Chahar, an 18-year-old full-back who many in Newcastle’s academy consider is able to make the leap.

A pure right-back but in addition suited to the left, Chahar joined from Wolves final yr after spending 10 years in Wolves’ youth group, the place he was considered one of the crucial technically gifted defenders of his technology.

Since arriving at St James’ Park, he has quietly impressed at youth stage.

Chahar has already made 4 appearances within the Premier League 2 this season, in addition to two appearances within the UEFA Youth League, scoring one purpose.

His popularity for consistency and flexibility grew and his growth was rewarded together with his first-team debut in pre-season in opposition to Atlético Madrid.

Internationally, Chahal’s rise has been equally fast.

Having represented England at a number of youth ranges, he made his Below-19 debut in September, capping off a yr of regular progress.

Youth coach Thomas Hammond has described him as a “promising expertise”, suggesting he may very well be trusted with the primary crew within the close to future.

Tactically, Chahar matches the fashionable mould Howe calls for of a full-back: fast, comfy in tight areas and adept at enjoying out from the again.

His pure stability on each side of the pitch may very well be invaluable as accidents proceed to plague him.

And in contrast to Byrne, he affords the velocity and agility to take care of one-on-one duels – attributes Newcastle have misplaced in Corridor’s absence.

Howe could have little alternative however to faucet into his academy expertise as Newcastle have a troublesome competitors forward of them, together with Champions League fixtures and necessary Premier League fixtures.

It is a threat, but it surely additionally comes with potential advantages. Giving Chahar an opportunity now may speed up his growth whereas easing the burden on an injury-hit crew.

Newcastle’s long-term imaginative and prescient underneath Howe has at all times been to construct sustainably, combining elite gamers with homegrown expertise who can step up when wanted.

Leo Chahar stands out as the subsequent instance of placing that philosophy into observe.