Newcastle United squad 22 players – The 11 first choices and their 11 direct replacements | OneFootball

How do you think the Newcastle United squad is shaping up?

United’s first match of the 2025/26 Premier League season now only 37 days away.

Is the Newcastle United squad fit for purpose.

I think a common theme when looking at both first choice players and the back up ones, is to look at your first eleven and their direct replacements.

I have taken a look through the Newcastle United squad as it stands (including Anthony Elanga who is set to be officially announced any time now).

My current Newcastle United first choice eleven and their direct replacements:

Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka

Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier

Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles

Sven Botman and Dan Burn

Lewis Hall and Matt Targett

Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley

Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff

Joelinton and Joe Willock

Anthony Elanga and Jacob Murphy

Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes

Alexander Isak and Will Osula

(Other available Newcastle United players – Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy, Mark Gillespie, Alex Murphy Emil Krafth, Harrison Ashby. Plus of course young players coming through from the Under 21s such as Leo Shahar and Trevan Sanusi, as well as new teenage winger signing Antonito)

Going through the options above, starting at the back…

Goalkeepers

I don’t think Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka as our first choice and back up would be a weakness going into the new season. However, I think James Trafford will be signed and then having him and Nick Pope fighting it out to be number one will make that area a real strength.

Defenders

I think adding that long awaited younger more mobile able to play right side at centre-back option this summer, then we are pretty much sorted (of course, always room for more improvement, but with money needing to be allocated for spending in other areas, not essential to bring in more defenders than that new central defender). With Livramento, Hall, Schar or new signing, Burn or Botman, I am well happy with the defence. Trippier can cover both full-back positions and if Botman available but Trippier and Hall not, then probably Burn would play left-back ahead of Targett. I think Lascelles will be handy to still have around for another year if fully recovered, for what he can give on and off the pitch. However, reality is that we definitely need a new younger/more mobile option for right side centre-back.

Midfielders

Nobody is disputing the levels of the first choice trio but I think we do need another midfielder added if possible. Longstaff looks as is he is leaving anyway, Willock needs to find consistency again, whilst Miley a great prospect but needs to be brought along carefully.

Forwards

With Elanga coming in, the frontline options looking very strong. Both Elanga and Gordon can play centrally as well as on the wings and Osula has potential, but guessing most of you would, like me, ideally like another attacking option brought in, as well as Anthony Elanga.

Conclusions

With Anthony Elanga about to sign and James Trafford I believe very likely to follow, the other essential I feel is that right side central defender.

After those essentials, I think we then look at the next level of need/want. Which is ideally Newcastle United also bringing in another midfielder and attacking option.