Newcastle United's new head coach Matthias Jaissle must decide who will anchor the midfield against Liverpool in the Premier League opener, with the club's summer overhaul leaving the engine room in flux.
With regulars Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali departed and vice-captain Joelinton ruled out through injury, the midfield has become the focal point of selection uncertainty. Lewis Miley is only just returning from a leg break, while new signings Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba are in contention.
Writers' verdicts on the starting pair
Lee Ryder, Chief Newcastle United Writer, backs Jacob Ramsey as the No 6, citing his pre-season form and trust from Jaissle. He would pair Ramsey with Miley, despite Miley having played just 45 minutes of pre-season. Ryder believes Bamba needs a watching brief before being thrust into action.
Sean McCormick, Newcastle United reporter, insists Miley should be the first name on the team sheet, given his experience at 20 years old. He would start Ramsey alongside Miley, noting Ramsey's strong finish to last season and his display in the draw with Strasbourg.
Experience gap and new signings
Ross Gregory, Head of North East Sport, highlights the limited options and the need for a signing of steel and experience. He suggests names like Joao Palhinha or Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and would start such a signing immediately alongside Steur.
Stuart Jamieson, Football Content Editor, sees it as a worrying sign that Newcastle have signed two central midfielders but still need another. He would opt for a bold pairing of Bamba and Steur, with Ramsey in the No 10 role, wary of asking too much of Miley.
