Four ChronicleLive experts have gone head-to-head in a special edition of the Everything is Black and White podcast, drafting their best Newcastle United XIs of the 21st century with a twist: no player can be selected by more than one person.
The Draft Format and Participants
Lee Ryder, Sean McCormick, Ross Gregory, and Stuart Jamieson each took turns picking players in an NFL-style draft system. The only rule was that each player could only be chosen once, forcing participants to think strategically and dig deep into the club's history since 2000.
World-Class Talent Available
Newcastle United has boasted numerous world-class players this century, including Alan Shearer, Shay Given, Bruno Guimaraes, and Yohan Cabaye. The draft also covered managers, with contenders such as Eddie Howe, Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Alan Pardew, and Rafa Benitez available.
Strategic Challenges
Participants had to navigate tricky decisions as key positions filled up quickly. For example, once Shearer, Alexander Isak, and Craig Bellamy were taken, alternatives had to be found. Similarly, after Given was selected, goalkeeping options became limited. The wealth of central midfielders also made for tough choices.
Watch and Listen
The full draft is available to watch on YouTube. All Everything is Black and White podcasts can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms.
