The fact that Newcastle needs a new right winger is undeniable. Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy are remain our top targets because we haven’t signed one since the Saudi-backed takeover in 2021.
Almiron’s time at Newcastle appears to be coming to an end. The need for a right winger will be much more pressing if the Paraguayan leaves, since an exit is possible in January. One could argue that we’ll require two in the near future.
One problem with the January window, though, is that it can be challenging to conduct business in the middle of the season, particularly when bringing in “elite players.” Therefore, it may be quite difficult for Newcastle to acquire the best right winger we require in the next transfer window.
My answer would be to sign a stopgap player who would be a good backup for the upcoming season and an improvement over our existing choices. We have previously seen players who might suit this description, such as Morgan Whittaker, but this season, Gustav Isaksen of Lazio, a Danish international, has captured my attention.
Born in Hjerk, Denmark, Isaksen is a 23-year-old right winger. His height of 5’10” makes him a good wide man, and Eddie Howe seems to prefer having him in his squad whenever possible. Fc Midtjylland, which is renowned for its youth development and has produced players like Onyedika, Kjaer, Joachim Andersen, and many others, is where the Dane spent his formative years and early career.
Isaksen was acquired by Lazio for 7.5 million euros last summer. He only played 1074 minutes last season and was mostly used off the bench. However, he appears to have established himself as a member of the starting eleven this season.
He has already accrued 546 minutes in Serie A, with one goal, one assist, and one Europa League goal. Although the stats aren’t very impressive, there is genuine talent and promise there, as evidenced by the 21-year-old’s 22 goals and nine assists for Midtjylland in the 2022–2023 season.
Lazio’s record under new manager Marco Baroni is now 4-2-3-1. As a right winger, Isaksen enjoys cutting inside and connecting plays in key areas. However, he frequently finds himself stranded out wide holding width when their right back is told to make a 3-1-6 shape and form a back three while in possession.
Isaksen needs people to help create space for him to cut inside and get into dangerous goal-scoring scenarios, so I don’t think he’s getting the most out of this. This implies that he doesn’t have anyone overlapping him.
Isaksen has profited from Lazio’s tendency to press, as they push up to the popular 4-2-4 shape. He frequently curves his runs, sprints when needed, and understands his role well.
He would fit right in, in my opinion. He is a tall, strong, left-footed right winger who can play both centrally and out wide, which is essential given Newcastle’s newfound mobility. He plays links well, is technically solid, and is an excellent ball crosser. He would significantly enhance our combinations on the right side.
His off-ball actions, particularly in the box, are something I think he needs to improve on. His box movements are another factor that contributes to his low scoring; he frequently fails to arrive in the proper positions, arrives late, or simply makes the incorrect choice and tries to do it himself. He reminds me a lot of Everton’s Anthony Gordon, and he’s changed since moving to St. James’ Park.
Given that he has no Premier League experience and a meager goal total in a top five league, this signing would undoubtedly be risky. However, there is talent and possibility there.
Trying to purchase in the dip is something that has been discussed a lot, and we would be doing just that with Isaksen. I should also mention that although he is not my top pick, this is a signing I would like to make if we are unable to sign a top-tier right winger in January.
However, given Almiron’s departure, I do think we should sign two right wingers within the next two transfer windows.
For a player that is an improvement over all of our present right wing options, Isaksen should only cost around £20 million, which is a very reasonable price in the current market.