Newcastle United's 2025 summer signings can look to Harvey Barnes as proof that a difficult first season does not preclude future success, according to the winger himself. Barnes, who struggled initially after his 2023 move from Leicester, believes his subsequent progress offers a template for patience to be rewarded.
Barnes' Journey from Struggle to Success
Barnes endured a stop-start first campaign at St James' Park, with injuries limiting him to 21 appearances. In his second season, he scored nine goals in all competitions, helping United win the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League. Last season, he bagged 16 goals in all competitions.
The Magpies made five permanent signings last summer: Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade, Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga, and Yoane Wissa, for a collective £253.5million. Only Thiaw could be considered a clear success in their first season, though Woltemade started well and Ramsey finished positively. Elanga and Wissa had moments but not enough, leaving pressure on all four to prove themselves in what is set to be a reset campaign.
Barnes' Advice to New Signings
When asked if he felt last summer's signings would come good this season, Barnes cited his own early struggles as an example. "I think you see it with signings," Barnes told Chronicle Live. "Some people it clicks straight away. Some people it takes a little bit of time. We've seen with a few who picked up little injuries and I picked up a little injury when I first joined and it took me a little while."
He added: "It's football. These things happen and everyone's different. Everyone takes different times to adapt. I'd like to think a year on, everyone's in a much better position than they were last summer and we see the quality every week in training and what they can bring. And I'm sure there's no reason why they can't show that this year."
Versatility Under New Boss
Barnes spoke while being used across both wings last season and is ready to play wherever new boss Matthias Jaissle wants him. "I see myself as left-sided," Barnes said. "But I think, as I saw last year, there was a lot of games where I had opportunities and scored goals from the right. I'm not against playing anywhere on the pitch."
He continued: "Like I said there, it probably opened my eyes a little bit to it last year where there may be games where I'm on the right. Even today, I was on the left and then I switched over to the right and then I came back on the left and scored on the left. But there's going to be moments in the season, I'm sure, where I'm on the left, I'm on the right."
"I feel like I can impact the game from different areas of the pitch. I mean, it's easy to say I'm predominantly a left-sided player, but I feel like I can have a good impact on games wherever I am. So, yes, just wherever's best."
