---
title: "Newcastle United’s predicted XI for 2020/2021"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-uniteds-predicted-xi-for-2020-2021-allan-saint-maximin-steve-bruce-morgan-sanson-miguel-almiron/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Uways Nisar"
section: "Features"
published: "2020-03-26T19:10:46Z"
modified: "2020-04-05T10:18:13Z"
---

# Newcastle United’s predicted XI for 2020/2021

**The 2019/2020 season has been a bit of a strange one for Newcastle United. It started off with mass negativity after [Steve Bruce](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48953813) was picked to replace Rafael Benitez as [fans were left fuming with the appointment](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/newcastle-united-fans-react-angrily-18327638).**

After just [three wins in 11 games](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Fixtures/England-Newcastle-United) across all competitions at the start, supporters seemed to be right. But the former Manchester United captain has since turned around their form and [they’re sat well above the relegation zone](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table). With that in mind, what would the Geordies’ starting XI look like for the 2020/2021 campaign?

Well, Martin Dubravka has been a rock for the St James’ Park outfit and has made the [most saves in the top-flight](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/saves) this season. The side have been linked with Manchester United’s [Phil Jones](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-offer-phil-jones-premier-21693802?_ga=2.4191664.1432451218.1585068515-44059472.1578299809), [who has an abundance of experience in the Champions League](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/phil-jones/leistungsdaten/spieler/117996) and would be an astute addition. He would feature alongside Ciaran Clark, [who according to WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Show/England-Newcastle-United), is the team’s best defender statistically this campaign.

At full-back, [Danny Rose](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51318921) and [Valentino Lazaro](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51243242) have both averaged just [0.8 and 0.5 fouls per game](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Show/England-Newcastle-United) respectively, showing cool and calm heads since joining in January.

Given the [lack of solidity in defence](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/clubs/goals_conceded), a five across midfield would be the smart option as it would reduce the space opposition teams have in the middle of the park.

Nabil Bentaleb was signed on a loan deal in the winter window and has the [second-highest pass accuracy](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Show/England-Newcastle-United) after playing three Premier League games. Making his move permanent and the player a regular fixture in the side would be smart from Bruce. Alongside him could be [Morgan Sanson](https://www.buzzsport.fr/buzz/foot/mercato-un-coup-de-pouce-pour-le-transfert-de-morgan-sanson-103203), who has been linked with a move and has contributed to [nine league goals for Marseille](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/115508/Show/Morgan-Sanson) despite being a central midfielder, adding more attacking threat.

The above means that there is no room for Jonjo Shelvey, though.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”287714″\]

On the wings, you really can’t look past Matt Richie, whose hard work and endeavour is a massive boost for the north-east club. [He averages 1.5 tackles and 1.8 fouls per league game](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Show/England-Newcastle-United), showing his persistence in thwarting opposition attacks. On the other flank would be Allan Saint-Maximin, who has taken the top-flight by storm with his unpredictability. As of the 16th of March, the Frenchman had completed the [fourth-most take-ons](https://www.squawka.com/en/most-take-ons-premier-league-2019-2020/) in the division, settling into life in England pretty well.

In between the two would have to be Miguel Almiron, whose energy (something highlighted by [The Athletic](https://theathletic.co.uk/1459015/2019/12/16/big-joe-v-big-andy-who-should-lead-the-line-for-newcastle/)) really would help to close down the ball especially alongside the likes of Richie and Saint-Maximin. Upfront would have to be Joelinton, who despite a slow start to life in the league, wins a staggering [5.2 aerial duels per game,](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/23/Show/England-Newcastle-United) making him the perfect target man for the three behind him to play off.

***Missing football!? There’s still plenty of Newcastle discussion going on in the Vital Newcastle Forum! [Click here to get involved!](https://bit.ly/3dqZrtV)***