For a bit of fun, we fired up the latest version of Football Manager, and simulated a huge summer takeover of Newcastle United. Take a look at how the game predicts the Magpies' starting XI, substitutes, and manager will look on the first day of the 2020/21 campaign.
. NUFC
(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
. New season, new beginnings
It's all change for Newcastle United, with new owners, new players and a fresh face in the managerial hot seat (more on that later). They open the 2020/21 away to Manchester City. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Mark Runnacles
. GK: Freddie Woodman
Martin Dubravka doesn't, for reasons we can't quite fathom, even make the bench! Woodman is rewarded for his fine loan spell with Swansea City and becomes the first-choice 'keeper. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Lewis Storey
. RB: Emil Krafth
The affable Swede didn't have the most glittering of seasons in 2019/20, but after a stellar pre-season he's hurled into the starting line-up. He'll be tasked with keeping *gulp* Raheem Sterling quiet. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Jan Kruger
. CB: Ben Godfrey
Goodness me. The Magpies obliterate their transfer record to bring in the promising centre-back from Norwich City for, get this, £63 million. No pressure, son. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Stephen Pond
. CB: Fabian Schar
Schar keeps his starting spot, and is now worth five times the figure the club paid for him back in 2018. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Alex Livesey
. LB: Jairo Riedewald
It's another new signing, as the Magpies freshen up the left-back spot with £17 million Netherlands international. Danny Rose didn't fancy joining permanently, and went to Southampton instead. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Warren Little
. CM: Jonjo Shelvey
The mercurial midfielder survives the summer shake-up and looks to be a key part of the new managers plans. He'll be the playmaker in a midfield three, by the looks of things. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Stu Forster
. CM: Roberto Gagliardini
A loan deal with an option-to-buy, this looks to be an excellent piece of business from Newcastle. He's a relentless workhorse with relentless stamina. He'll go down a storm, that's for sure. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO
1. New season, new beginnings
It's all change for Newcastle United, with new owners, new players and a fresh face in the managerial hot seat (more on that later). They open the 2020/21 away to Manchester City. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Mark Runnacles
2. GK: Freddie Woodman
Martin Dubravka doesn't, for reasons we can't quite fathom, even make the bench! Woodman is rewarded for his fine loan spell with Swansea City and becomes the first-choice 'keeper. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Lewis Storey
3. RB: Emil Krafth
The affable Swede didn't have the most glittering of seasons in 2019/20, but after a stellar pre-season he's hurled into the starting line-up. He'll be tasked with keeping *gulp* Raheem Sterling quiet. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Jan Kruger
4. CB: Ben Godfrey
Goodness me. The Magpies obliterate their transfer record to bring in the promising centre-back from Norwich City for, get this, £63 million. No pressure, son. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) | Getty Images Photo: Stephen Pond