How Thiaw became Newcastle’s ‘mentality monster’

Last summer, Eddie Howe declared himself “funny.”

Newcastle United needed a centre-back, but the head coach believed there was a long list of plausible names that could change the game.

Malick Thiaw was in Howe’s sights, but could Newcastle take his place if they sold him to AC Milan?

Even if they could, would another club follow suit and defeat Newcastle once more after Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, Joao Pedro, and James Trafford were among the targets who left during a difficult transfer window?

This time not. In August, Newcastle completed a 35-million-pound move for Thiaw.

Given how Newcastle went on to break their transfer record and pay more for Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, and Jacob Ramsey, it was a deal that went a little under the radar elsewhere.

However, Howe maintains that Thiaw would always be an “important signing.”

No wonder Newcastle had been keeping track of Thiaw’s performance in Milan for some time.

For such a low price, especially one that was as imposing, athletic, and comfortable on the ball, there was a belief within the organization that it would be difficult to find another defender with a similar profile.

Importantly, Thiaw was eager to make the move as well.

He appeared to have viewed Newcastle as a “match” for his ambitions after having a fruitful conversation with Howe.

After doing his research on the club and the Premier League, he was “proud” of Newcastle’s interest.

In fact, Paul Winsper, a former Newcastle employee, claims he even managed to “sell the North East a little bit” to Thiaw during a training camp in the Lake District a few weeks prior.

The 24-year-old has always backed Winsper, who has also collaborated with Antonio Rudiger, Maro Itoje, the head of England’s rugby union, and Anthony Joshua, the heavyweight boxer.

Although AC Milan are a smaller club, Winsper said, “He has the character. It’s a different atmosphere at Newcastle.”

“His attitude makes Toni Rudiger very appealing to me.” He will thrive when you put him under pressure.

After Fabian Schar suffered a concussion last month, Thiaw undoubtedly had a chance to succeed.

Under Howe, only Bruno Guimaraes (167) and Schar (162) have played for Newcastle.

Thiaw initially had to be patient to get his chance after arriving a few days before the season started because Schar has been so consistently effective at right-sided centre-back.

However, Thiaw used that time on the bench to study games, first-hand witnessing the “bite” and speed of the Premier League, according to Howe, and impressed the staff with his training results.

Thiaw was prepared to take his chance when his full debut against Bournemouth was upon him.

The 6’4″ Thiaw has kept control of the shirt despite his recent displays.

Close friend Erdem Canpolat, who rose through the ranks alongside Thiaw at Schalke, will not have been surprised by that.

Although Thiaw has been embraced by Geordies who have serenaded him with “Ciao Bella” following his performances, it is still in its early stages.

Newcastle have only conceded six goals in nine games overall since he made his full debut, coming into a tight defensive unit.

If Newcastle had not defended resolutely for the most part, they would have been much lower than 12th in the Premier League, despite allowing in costly late goals against Arsenal and Brighton at the time.

Only Arsenal and Newcastle have kept more clean sheets this season than Newcastle, and only the league leaders have a lower xG/w ratio than Howe’s side (7.33).

After forming a strong partnership with Sven Botman in the heart of defense, Thiaw has contributed significantly.

Howe remarked, “He’s just been himself.”

Although the sample size is small, Thiaw ranks fourth in terms of interceptions (1.79 per 90 minutes) and sixth in aerial duels won (4.17 per 90 minutes) among those Premier League defenders who have played at least 400 minutes of combat. Additionally, he has a 71 percent success rate in dueling.

Only midfielder Jacob Ramsey has a pass-perfection rate at Newcastle that is higher than Thiaw’s (88%).

Former Schalke team-mate Can Bozdogan remarked, “This defender tries to find solutions rather than simply kick the ball long.”

He claimed that “he has a really good technique and is a central defender.”

He can grow, but he can also become very athletic. He can read the game and is quick and powerful.