Newcastle United's best 3 transfers since 2020

[gjohnson]

21 minutes ago, joeyt said:

 

Not even sure where to start with this

Think it was a fair comment...Burn while at left back was widely seen as the weakest link, routinely targeted by opposition and often at least indirectly responsible for a fair few goals conceded. At the time he didnt have the pace or skill  to really excel in that position.

 

However...since being put back in the middle his use to the team has improved massively. If anything he looks (to me at least) like he has actually gotten faster despite being older. Nothing spectacular but he doesnt look like he could be outpaced by a sedated geriatric like he was on the left. Also looks a bit more skillful now too...capable of the odd turn or dummy to get out of tight spots rather than just hoofing it as hard as he could.

[joeyt]

1 minute ago, gjohnson said:

Think it was a fair comment...Burn while at left back was widely seen as the weakest link, routinely targeted by opposition and often at least indirectly responsible for a fair few goals conceded. At the time he didnt have the pace or skill  to really excel in that position.

 

However...since being put back in the middle his use to the team has improved massively. If anything he looks (to me at least) like he has actually gotten faster despite being older. Nothing spectacular but he doesnt look like he could be outpaced by a sedated geriatric like he was on the left. Also looks a bit more skillful now too...capable of the odd turn or dummy to get out of tight spots rather than just hoofing it as hard as he could.

 

To despise him though?

[Mahoneys Tache]

Nothing compares to the window where we sold gazza and bought beasant thorn, hendrie and Robertson.  

[JLC]

Just now, Mahoneys Tache said:

Nothing compares to the window where we sold gazza and bought beasant thorn, hendrie and Robertson.  

Until Goodison away, first day. Talk about deflation 

[geordiesteve710]

My three in chronological order:

 

1. Wilson (incoming) for the importance of his goals in 20/21. Doesn't bear thinking about where we would have ended up. Didn't look out of place alongside the talent that came in after the takeover (at least until his legs went.)

 

2. Trippier (incoming)- the catalyst for it all. Arguably our best transfer since Bobby Lee.

 

3. Isak (outgoing) - no I'm not taking the piss. It's a phenomenal amount of money for a stroppy player with a dodgy groin (as talented as he undoubtedly was.) In the PSR era it's the sale that gives us the headroom for our amazing scouting team to exploit and I think in 5 years we could be unrecognisable in large part to this sale.

 

Maybe I'm being petty not including the "incoming" signing as you could say the benefits encompass the sale as well. To which I would say just fuck off ok 

 

Honourable mention to Bruno (incoming). I've often been critical, but he's grown into the role of team captain, completely won me over and it's fair to say he's the heartbeat of the side. Very nearly pipped Wilson to get in my top 3.

[gjohnson]

Just now, joeyt said:

 

To despise him though?

All about context...despise as a person certainly not. The posters terminology is harsh, but some on here (although theyd never admit it now given how much better he has become) probably despised seeing his name on the teamsheet at LB in his first season. Like going to a family party and seeing Uncle Knobhead and knowing hes going to get pissed and try to pull a dangerously close to jailbait girl. You know sober in the right place he's ok, but despise his actions in those situations

[JT24]

Sandro Tonali

Sandro Tonali

and Sandro Tonali

[Cf]

Trippier and Bruno nailed on for top two.

 

We got Trippier at his peak and along with Bruno was instrumental in being part of the team who avoided relegation and then some. 

 

Harsh not to include Burn but Isak number 3 for me. One of the best players we've had play for us in recent memory. Other players make an excellent core but Isak (and now looking like Tonali, Livramento, Hall going forwards) was the quality that elevated us to CL level. 

[GavMcEl]

Trippier and Bruno are without doubt the top 2.... Trippier choosing to go to Newcastle  in January 2022 despite Newcastle being in the position we were in, was the 1st person to buy into this project, and was the 1st indication that the Saudis were serious... plus on the playing side of things, his performances from January 22 - May 23 was outstanding, was one of the most consistent full backs in Europe during that period and was so Important to us....

Bruno speaks for himself, similar to Trippier in terms of buying into the project despite our league position in January 22 and has been vital in everything we have done since, his attitude, commitment and passion is truly remarkable and his love for the club, city and people is class... has deffo become Mr Newcastle imo and depending how the next few years go, could deffo see him becoming one of the greatest to ever pull on the black n white stripes.....

 

Think 3rd spot would be between Big Dan or Tonali.... Tonali would just edge it for me purely on the fact that he's become one of my fave players of all time  genuinely love him and easily one of the best midfielders in the world atm

 

 

Edited October 7, 2025 by GavMcEl

[Keegans Export]

For me, Bruno and Trippier are locks.

 

Both elite players that joined with the club at an incredibly low ebb, dragged us up the table in 21/22 then led the way in the seasons ahead. Both offered quality on the pitch and set the tone off it. 

 

The third spot is really tough. Burn is the emotive choice. Tonali in terms of just pure quality. Isak in terms of productivity then his sale helping our financial position going forwards.

 

I think I'd go with Isak on the basis of both what he achieved while he was here but also what his sale may allow us to do in the next 12-24 months.

[The College Dropout]

Trippier

Isak

Tonali

[Gottlob]

I know the idea is always that Trippier changed the culture of the team but didn't he barely play over that first half-season? And while his signing felt like a major coup didn't he know Howe and want to move back to the north of England? You could argue his signing was more of a curio or product of circumstance rather than a statement of intent, though I have no doubt that he was a major leader for us on and off the pitch as well as a wellspring of creativity especially over his first full season.

 

For me Bruno single-handedly gave us a midfield and has been the most crucial signing of Howe's tenure. We'd struggled there for so long, and I think without his passing and press resistance you simply don't make a top side from the likes of Longstaff, Joelinton and Willock. He knitted us together and he still feels like the heart of the team even though his form has been a bit patchy for a while now.

 

Then I'd say Isak even though he played more of a peripheral role during the season we finished fourth, which felt like a bit of a one-off in so far as we were performing at the peak of our collective powers and were carried by a rush of momentum. Since then he's been the centrepiece of our attack and we're obviously still finding out whether we can be as clinical and dangerous without him.

 

After those two I think you can take your pick between Trippier, Burn and Tonali too if you're looking at ability and potential. I'd probably go for Burn as a consistent part of the first eleven and for his cup final goal.

[GOTONEW]

Came to post Trippier, Burn, Bruno. Not sure what I was expecting...but I'm soooo happy to see that's the common theme.

 

I know he's slowing, but Trippier is my favourite player in many many years. And in his first minutes for us, he instantly stood out in a way only elite players do, IMHO. He was the thing that made me feel we had truly turned a corner as a club. Everything changed, for me.

[TheInfiniteOdyssey]

Hendrick, Lewis, Fraser.

[Erikse]

Burn had the biggest impact in the season where we went from 19th to midtable after the january dealings. He was immense at centreback, almost singlehandedly fixing our defensive issues (together with Targett). Bruno only featured towards the end, and Trippier was inured, as pointed out. In the next season (4th place) almost every attack went through Trippier, and it was simply a cheat code.

 

 

Edited October 6, 2025 by Erikse

[KennyUtd]

34 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Trippier

Isak

Tonali

Wash your fuckin mouth out. 

😁

[madras]

34 minutes ago, GOTONEW said:

Came to post Trippier, Burn, Bruno. Not sure what I was expecting...but I'm soooo happy to see that's the common theme.

 

I know he's slowing, but Trippier is my favourite player in many many years. And in his first minutes for us, he instantly stood out in a way only elite players do, IMHO. He was the thing that made me feel we had truly turned a corner as a club. Everything changed, for me.

That's my 3.

[Heron]

Sorry for breaking rank here but in terms of best signing in our current squad though - Jamaal Lascelles.

 

Him standing up to be counted and questioning everyone around him was ultimately planted the seed from which we've grown.

 

Howe, Trippier, Burn, Bruno, etc. Etc. Don't happen unless Lascelles takes that stand.

 

 

Edited October 6, 2025 by Heron

[GEFAFWISP]

When thinking about this, felt like putting down a bunch of different criteria and answering them as well...

 

Most Important; Burn, Bruno, Trippier

Best in terms of ability; Tonali, Isak, Botman

Best in terms of prospects; Tino, Hall, Gordon

Most underrated; Pope, Barnes, Willock

Best outgoings: Isak, Kelly, Colback

[madras]

43 minutes ago, Heron said:

Sorry for breaking rank here but in terms of best signing in our current squad though - Jamaal Lascelles.

 

Him standing up to be counted and questioning everyone around him was ultimately planted the seed from which we've grown.

 

Howe, Trippier, Burn, Bruno, etc. Etc. Don't happen unless Lascelles takes that stand.

 

 

 

Are we including contract extensions like? Since 2020 man. Get your point though.

[Lucky]

42 minutes ago, Heron said:

Sorry for breaking rank here but in terms of best signing in our current squad though - Jamaal Lascelles.

 

Him standing up to be counted and questioning everyone around him was ultimately planted the seed from which we've grown.

 

Howe, Trippier, Burn, Bruno, etc. Etc. Don't happen unless Lascelles takes that stand.

 

 

 

He took that stand but we still got relegated. He should be in the prime of his career but seems to have thrown the towel in.

 

Good captain but when things got upgraded he didn’t seem to have the fight to keep his spot.

 

Back to original post:

 

Trippier (we’d have gone down without him)

 

Bruno.. no words needed

 

Isak - both ways, won us a cup final and gave us a financial platform to take a leap. The cunt.

[geordiesteve710]

49 minutes ago, Heron said:

Sorry for breaking rank here but in terms of best signing in our current squad though - Jamaal Lascelles.

 

Him standing up to be counted and questioning everyone around him was ultimately planted the seed from which we've grown.

 

Howe, Trippier, Burn, Bruno, etc. Etc. Don't happen unless Lascelles takes that stand.

 

 

 

Lascelles is the best captain this club has had arguably since Colin Veitch.

 

But just like Veitch, he was signed way before 2020.

 

 

[nufcjmc]

47 minutes ago, Heron said:

Sorry for breaking rank here but in terms of best signing in our current squad though - Jamaal Lascelles.

 

Him standing up to be counted and questioning everyone around him was ultimately planted the seed from which we've grown.

 

Howe, Trippier, Burn, Bruno, etc. Etc. Don't happen unless Lascelles takes that stand.

 

 

 

I don't have a good memory I remember him speaking out unhappy at the removal of player bonuses and the meal arranged with Ashley which the press twisted into him calling him a nice guy.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46057167

 

I guess its the interpretation of what qualities make them the best?

 

Loyalty? Skill?cost? Number of games played? 

 

By that standard you could say schar who don't think has been mentioned yet depending if we allow those given extension and not just newly signed from  2020 onwards. 

[RobsonsWonderland]

Pope... The upgrade alone allowed our defence to settle.

 

Wilson... Scored the goals to keep us up 

 

Bruno... Joined us, ignited the squad and fell in love with us the mad crazy fool.

 

Without that spine down the middle we would not have gone on the journey we had

 

 

Edited October 6, 2025 by RobsonsWonderland

[Sibierski]

Bruno G

Trippier

Isak

 

Wilson just misses out. Isak is rightly slagged off, but we signed him for £60m, he scored back to back 20+ in Prem and we sold for a league record. That’s a definition of a great buy, just how it ended (and it not all on our terms) sours the view. But hopefully come end of next summer window, we can view it as a massive turning point that’s allowed club to kick on.