Newcastle United can unleash ‘elite’ player v Manchester United after ‘nasty’ injury blow
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Newcastle United latest news: Eddie Howe could unleash an ‘elite’ player when his side face Manchester United on Boxing Day.
Eddie Howe believes that Jacob Ramsey is close to being at his very best despite a slow start to life at Newcastle United.
Ramsey joined the Magpies from Aston Villa in summer for £39m, just days after the two teams had squared-off at Villa Park on the opening day of the Premier League season. Ramsey had been linked with a move to Tyneside for the best part of a year before he was eventually snapped up in mid-August.
It was hoped that his signing could be the missing link between their midfield and attacking options and that he would be able to show the technical ability and flair on Tyneside that he had demonstrated at Villa Park.
However, he suffered an ankle injury within 45 minutes of his first start for the club and was subsequently ruled-out of action for over a month. He has regained a starting berth in recent weeks, but more is still demanded of the 24-year-old.
Eddie Howe on ‘elite’ Jacob Ramsey
So what does Ramsey have to do at Newcastle United to become a regular in Howe’s side? Well, earlier this month, Howe detailed the need for Ramsey to showcase his talents on the pitch when given that opportunity to impress - something he did at the weekend during a good run-out against Chelsea.
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Certainly, that performance impressed his head coach and Howe believes that Ramsey is on his way to reaching his full potential: “ I think that was his best game for us, I felt, against Chelsea. Athletically, very, very good.
“Some of his numbers that he produced in that game were elite in terms of the benchmark for midfielders. I think that's a great sign, because I think the challenge for JJ has been since his injury at Leeds, where he twisted his ankle, it was a nasty injury.
“He had momentum then, and then he had to start all over again and I think he's just returning to his very best levels. You can see him technically very rarely waste the ball. It's a great quality to have.
“I think the next step for him is to start impacting the final third with goals and assists and those decisive actions which we know he's capable of.”
Tonight’s trip to Old Trafford could provide Ramsey with yet another opportunity to impress in the middle of the park. The match will likely come too soon for Tino Livramento, despite Howe’s fairly positive update on the defender, meaning that Lewis Miley will almost certainly deputise at right-back once again.
Joelinton, meanwhile, continues to be sidelined with a groin injury and whilst he may be ruled fit enough to feature against the Red Devils, Howe may opt not to risk the Brazilian, especially with a clash against Burnley to follow just four days later.
Although they have won on two of their last three visits to Old Trafford, being part of a winning Newcastle United side at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ is still reserved for a very select group of players. Ramsey, with another performance like he showed on Saturday, could be one of the driving forces to help spearhead the Magpies to victory.