Newcastle United have been caught in the headwinds of a frustrating summer transfer window that continues to inhibit Eddie Howe and his side.
This has been a season that has highlighted the good, the bad, and the ugly at St. James’ Park, with United at times enjoying slick attacking success but also slipping up in numerous contests on the road. Newcastle have also dropped many points – 13 in the Premier League – from winning positions.
However, while some of United’s problems have been of their own making, they have been equally thwarted by defensive injuries, with a shedload in recent weeks preventing the club from climbing into the top half of the Premier League table.
How Newcastle are dealing with their defensive issues
Newcastle have weathered a number of storms across Howe’s four years in charge, but they have always bounced back from setbacks, and this current crisis is no different.
Sven Botman is injured once again, as are Dan Burn, Emil Krafth and Jamal Lascelles, who has not featured this season. Now Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are sidelined too, with a dearth of options at right-back calling Lewis Miley into a moonlit role on the flank.
The 19-year-old has excelled in recent weeks, with reporter Andy Sixsmith commenting that he “looked like he’s played there all his career” against Chelsea at the weekend.
Lewis Miley vs Chelsea
Stats (* per game)
#
Minutes played
90′
Touches
61
Shots (on target)
1 (0)
Accurate passes
30/38 (79%)
Possession lost
10x
Chances created
0
Dribbles
1/1
Ball recoveries
9
Tackles won
1/1
Interceptions
3
Clearances
3
Duels won
4/7
Data via Sofascore
In spite of all this, FBref data reveals Newcastle to boast the second-meanest defence in the Premier League, when looking at xGA metrics.
And with Miley showing that he has what it takes to serve as first-choice star Livramento’s understudy, there’s a certain wizened face in Howe’s squad who may now be closer to the exit than he has ever been.
Newcastle star may never start again
This Howe-led Newcastle era started off at breakneck speed and did not relent until a year-and-a-half later, when Champions League qualification had been struck and a Carabao Cup final had been reached.
Now, Newcastle are deep into the project, and Kieran Trippier has wound down, having played such an instrumental role in lifting the club into the ascendancy.
The £120k-per-week full-back is out of contract at the end of the season, and with thigh problems having kept him sidelined since November, there’s a good chance that he will not start a Premier League match again for the Toon, especially with Miley now in line to deputise when Livramento is absent.
At 35 years old, it looks like Trippier’s best days are behind him, and a change of scenery might be the best move for all parties in 2026 – especially with Trippier’s role having been reduced, and when considering his hefty salary.
Trippier in the Prem for Newcastle
Season
Apps
Goals (assists)
25/26
8
0 (0)
24/25
25
0 (3)
23/24
28
1 (10)
22/23
38
1 (7)
21/22
6
2 (0)
Data via Transfermarkt
Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley hailed him as “the best right-back in Europe” in 2023, and who could argue against it? The veteran Three Lions star had established himself as one of the most creative players in the Premier League, and even now, he ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe for shot-creating actions and the top 1% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.
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But Miley is understandably more athletic and dynamic, and he showed great awareness in a new berth, making a whopping total of nine ball recoveries. Now, the young Geordie’s development has to take precedence.
Trippier is, in many ways, a modern legend for the St. James’ Park side. The above-mentioned Sixsmith called him a “leader” and a “talisman” for the club. The veteran full-back was among the first to follow Howe to Tyneside and help resurrect this great football club.
But Livramento is well ahead of him in the rankings, and now, Miley is showing himself to have what it takes to become a superstar for his boyhood club in a position which is not his own.
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