Newcastle made a bigger mistake than Minteh by selling "throwback" star

Newcastle United are coming off the back of a 4-0 loss to Manchester City, where the Magpies managed just three shots in the entire game, generating 0.48 xG and holding 38% possession.

As good as Alexander Isak has been this season, this game highlighted Newcastle’s lack of threat when he is effectively kept quiet throughout the game, with Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy then struggling to have their impact.

Eddie Howe’s side could have used something different in attack, especially to threaten City more on the break from both flanks, but they may have got rid of the perfect man for that in the summer.

Yankuba Minteh’s season in numbers

Newcastle sold Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and Hive Albion in the summer in order to comply with PSR regulations, with the Gambian starlet never actually making an appearance for the Tynesiders.

The 20-year-old – who joined Brighton for a fee of around £30m – has made 23 appearances for the Seagulls this season, scoring five goals, providing three assists and totalling 1,169 minutes played.

With his rapid pace, ability to hurt teams in transition and also his knack for arriving in dangerous areas, whether that’s off the dribble or by running in behind, Minteh is a constant threat, and one that Newcastle could use on their right side.

But Newcastle may have already made an even bigger mistake, selling another star who could’ve helped their attacking issues when Isak is struggling, who is now one of the Premier League’s top scorers.

Newcastle’s bigger mistake than Minteh

Chris Wood left Newcastle in the 2023/24 season, initially joining Nottingham Forest on a loan deal, with an obligation to buy depending on certain conditions, which cost in the region of £15m.

Wood – who had only scored five goals in 39 games for the Magpies – has since made 69 appearances after joining Forest, scoring 34 goals, providing three assists and totalling 4,639 minutes.

The 31-year-old is the third-highest scorer in the Premier League this season with his 18 goals scored, firing Forest into third place after 25 games played.

It’s this level of clinical finisher that could help Newcastle when Isak isn’t firing, and could even be used alongside him to give Howe another option.

Newcastle have sold a number of players who could have contributed over the past five or six seasons, with different striker profiles to contrast with Isak, more direct and pacey wingers in comparison to Jacob Murphy and creative attacking midfielders such as Elliot Anderson, who could have added some key carrying quality to the side.

Wood has been described as a “throwback” striker by former Tottenham and West Ham boss, Harry Redknapp, converting his chances at a brilliant rate, tussling with defenders in the penalty box and getting his job done for the team.

Whilst it’s easy to look back now and say selling Wood was a huge mistake, the numbers speak for themselves, and having both Isak and Wood in the same squad could have been enough to fire the Magpies into another top-four finish, regaining Champions League football.