---
title: "Newcastle: Sky Sports reporter explains Sven Botman dilemma"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-premier-league-sven-botman-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-10-02T18:35:36Z"
modified: "2022-10-02T18:35:36Z"
---

# Newcastle: Sky Sports reporter explains Sven Botman dilemma

**[Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/) centre-back Sven Botman could leave Eddie Howe with “a real decision” to make after losing his place in the team, according to journalist Keith Downie.**

### The Lowdown: Botman fighting for his place

The Dutchman completed a big-money move to St James’ Park during the summer transfer window, coming in from Lille for [£35m](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12644085/sven-botman-newcastle-complete-signing-of-lille-defender) after thriving for the [Ligue 1](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/ligue-1-news/) outfit.

Botman has done well in general for the Magpies but he has been in and out of the team recently, [only starting five](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/379732/Show/Sven-Botman) of Newcastle’s eight [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) matches so far this term.

The 22-year-old did play all 90 minutes of Saturday’s 4-1 win away to Fulham, but there is still a feeling that he is far from a guaranteed starter under Howe.

### The Latest: Downie sounds Botman warning

Speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88064917-newcastle-howe-facing-real-decision-over-35m-beast-at-st-james-park), Sky Sports reporter Downie claimed that the Newcastle manager must ensure that Botman remains happy at St James’ Park, even if he isn’t starting every game.

The journalist warned Howe::

> “He’s going to have a real decision on his hands moving forward. I mean, what you don’t want is someone like Sven Botman’s head going down because he’s not playing. You need to make sure he’s ready.”

### The Verdict: Highlights Newcastle’s squad depth

In truth, this should be considered a positive situation in some ways, because it shows just how much quality Howe currently has in his squad at Newcastle.

The fact that Botman isn’t a nailed-on starter is proof that other centre-backs like Fabian Schar and Dan Burn are [stepping up](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Show/England-Newcastle) to the plate, creating a healthy competition for places.

Of course, having an unhappy player in your ranks is never a good thing, if that is indeed the case with Botman, but the 22-year-old should embrace the challenge and raise his game, possibly guaranteeing himself a constant spot in Howe’s starting line-up in that instance.

He has been [described](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-sven-botman-move-killer-24349035) as ‘the total package’ by former team-mate and goalkeeper Warner Hahn, and now is the time for him to show that on a weekly basis.