Imagine trying to run down Newcastle United right side now? | OneFootball

It is going to be interesting next season, seeing how the opposition deal with the Newcastle United right side.

No Premier League defender is quicker than Tino Livramento.

No Premier League attacking player is quicker than Anthony Elanga.

Put the pair of them together on United’s right side and…

The thing is with Anthony Elanga, not only does he run very quickly up the pitch, he is also more than willing to do the same in getting back to help his full-back.

Imagine next season as an opposition player going down the left (Newcastle’s right) and you are faced with Tino Livramento in front of you, Anthony Elanga chasing you down from behind.

That is the thing with pace.

It is the one asset that you can’t do anything against, if the other team utilise it perfectly.

Having played many a game of football myself at various ‘levels’, if given a choice, give me a tricky skilful player to deal with as opposed to somebody with pace to burn.

I love it with Tino Livramento, when any opposition player has the temerity to try and get into a race with him, you just have absolute knowledge that there will be only one winner. I think it is something that it is far too easily taken for granted, too quickly, it is Tino’s special power.

Opening it up further and Eddie Howe has a team built on pace and/or stamina.

Looking at what I consider the first eleven next season, as well as that right side combination of Elanga and Livramento, you then also have Isak and Gordon to complete an electric front three.

I think we have all now of course for sure, had our Sandro Tonali moment, when we’ve realised that he is not only a brilliant football player but also one with phenomenal pace. He makes it look so effortless as he covers the ground, putting out fires, regaining possession.

Bruno Guimaraes may not be quick but he has stamina to burn, each of these last two seasons he has been the Premier League player to cover the most distance in 2023/24 and 2024/25. The ultimate Duracell bunny that keeps on going…and going…going.

The other member of the midfield trio, Joelinton is the one who has it all. Stamina, a bit of pace, plus of course strength.

Lewis Hall isn’t quick and he isn’t slow, but what he is, is an outstanding talent. Honestly, he is such a clever outrageously gifted player and I am amazed at how many Newcastle United fans have managed to forget this so quickly. He really is a complete player and such an inspired signing by Eddie Howe. I think that Hall, along with Bruno and Trippier, are the three stand out NUFC players, who despite not having great pace, have the talent and know how to totally overcome that. Lewis Hall is only 20 as well, so he can improve even more as time goes on.

That only leaves out goalkeeper and central defenders.

Nick Pope is no slouch and brave as well when covering behind the defence, which he does so well. Something that many fans and journalists overlook.

As for central defenders, if they are playing at the highest level and have elite pace, then they should be playing elsewhere in the team! You need your central defenders to have the strength and physicality that is essential in that position, so that doesn’t lend itself to also have Elanga level pace.

Having said that, whilst Schar and Burn have been undoubtedly superb and continue to be so, I think that this coming season we are set to see a lot more pace in the middle of defence a lot of the time. Sven Botman covers the ground well and is quicker than those other two, everything crossed that he can stay fit as he is such a good player. Whilst we all wait to see who will be the younger more mobile central defensive signing this summer, to compete with Schar on the right side of central defence.

When you add the pace and stamina in this Newcastle United team, to the Eddie Howe know how and game plan to suit his players the best, it is a formidable mix.

I can’t wait for the new season and seeing opposition teams struggling to cope with this intoxicating NUFC mix of ability, pace and stamina.