Newcastle United have kicked off the new year in style, riding the momentum of a five-match winning streak. That confidence soared even higher with victories over Tottenham and Arsenal in both the Premier League (EPL) and Football League (EFL). Under Eddie Howe’s outstanding guidance, the Magpies are on the rise—but what’s next for this resurgent squad?

Here are five key questions Newcastle fans are asking and the answers they’re eager to hear:

Can Newcastle break into the top four of 2024/25 EPL?
Newcastle’s chances of finishing in the top four in the 2024/25 season look promising if they keep their momentum. Eddie Howe wants to make sure that the club continues their strong form. However, they face stiff competition from top favourites like Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and Chelsea.

The EPL season wraps up in May, and Newcastle still has a long way to go. They’ve won twice against Arsenal, once in November for the EPL and once again in the semi-final of the EFL in November. It is a big feat, but the Gunners are still regarded as the favourites for the rematches, which will be on 6th February for the EFL Cup and 18th May for EPL.

Newcastle is well-positioned for a top-six finish
Finishing the top 4 is a big task, albeit not out of reach. Even so, the Magpies are currently sitting comfortably within the top six, and they are likely to stay in this position throughout the season. Manchester City could climb the EPL standings and challenge opponents head-to-head. Thus, Eddie Howe refuses to relax, even with their current success.

Who were the most promising players in Newcastle this season?
Many EPL fans vouch for Alexander Isak as one of the season’s best players. He stood out and was named the ‘best striker in the Premier League’ by many media outlets and forums. Isak has scored in every match during Newcastle’s remarkable 7-game winning streak, making him the rising star of 2025.

Isak’s success has been bolstered by consistent assists from Newcastle’s dynamic winger, Jacob Murphy. He’s had 9 goal contributions in the 2024/25 EPL season following his performances in the games against Arsenal, Liverpool, and Tottenham Spurs.

Eddie Howe names Isak and Guimarães as his best players.
Club manager Eddie Howe frequently praises certain players. Among them, he singled out forward Alexander Isak and defensive midfielder Bruno Guimarães as key figures in the current campaign. Howe shared that the two are sought after in the winter transfer window by clubs outside the EPL and believes it will be difficult to keep them in the summer of 2025.

Will Newcastle let go of Alexander Isak in the future?
Isak’s performance has impressed football experts worldwide, even drawing the attention of Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique. The French club is in the market for a striker and believes that Newcastle’s star player fits the bill.

Isak has a contract with Newcastle until 2028 and was happy to stay through the winter window. However, PSG offered an enticing deal if he could play for them next League 1 season. It is a proposition Howe believes should be the best decision for Newcastle business-wise, but the club needs him, so it’s a loss in a strategic sense.

Isak might have to leave if Newcastle fails to finish in the top 6
Howe weighs in on just how crucial Isak is for Newcastle for future seasons and aims to keep him for as long as possible. However, it will be challenging because the club needs to play the business side the smart way, too. Howe believes there is no guarantee that Isak can remain a Magpie, but finishing in the top six this 2024/25 season can make for a convincing case for keeping him.

What are Howe’s big calls for 2025?
Howe already made major changes ahead of their first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Arsenal. This includes choosing Lloyd Kelly to start if Sven Botman isn’t ready due to his injury. It’s the same call he had to make to compensate for Fabian Schar and Guimarães’s absences. These are mostly situational changes as Howe waits for the return of his star players.

Howe has also recalled Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, and Lewis Miley. They can all be among the starting XI calls, but not all three of them at once. Howe is also considering moving the captain position to Kieran Trippier, who has the most experience as a leader on the team. His expertise is crucial for the upcoming matches against the favourites in the EPL 2024/25.

The Magpies will not let their guard down despite the 7-match win streak
Howe’s strategic decisions are aimed at ensuring Newcastle’s resilience. The club is prepared for draws and other inevitable setbacks. This foresight is important to sustain their momentum. Howe is focused on crafting solid gameplay to make up for them. This includes the frequent absences of their key players due to suspension or injuries.

What are the greatest challenges for Newcastle, according to Howe?
Since taking charge in 2021, Howe has worked hard to make Newcastle its best version. He has come across many situations and problems unique to the Magpies and overcame them alongside his squad. Fans are eager to know what were the biggest challenges of the 2024/25 EPL season and how Newcastle is dealing with them:

Newcastle had to play most of the season without their captain
Newcastle has found itself in an unfortunate position for losing its captains twice. The original team leader, Jamaal Lascelles, was sidelined for six to nine months due to a cruciate ligament injury in March 2024. Guimarães was appointed as the captain while Lascelles recovered but was suspended in December 2024 via a yellow card.

Howe had to give the captaincy to Dan Burns, who he realised was inexperienced in the job. That’s why he hoped Kieran Trippier’s leadership could compensate for Burn’s lack thereof. Fortunately, Lascelles is set to return on 1st of February 2025 along with Guimarães in the midfield.

Improving and maintaining squad morale in 2024/25
It was challenging to get the squad’s morale high at the beginning of the season. For a long time, they were considered the underdogs when facing teams like Arsenal and Tottenham. Now, Newcastle has overcome these giants, inspiring the members to hold their heads high, knowing that they are in a team worthy of the Big Six.

Under Howe’s management, Newcastle had great performances and has remained consistently among the top six for the past two seasons. He plans to aim higher than the top four to finish this campaign, and it shows. Howe is ensuring his team doesn’t get too comfortable in their 7-game win streaks by keeping their morale high.

The future of Isak and life at Newcastle without him
Newcastle has plenty of amazing players, but Isak’s impact is undeniable. He is the core of the squad’s offense, and Howe’s plans revolve around him. Despite Isak’s and Howe’s wishes, there will come a time when loaning or trading the star striker is the smartest business move available.

Howe is working to persuade the club’s executives to keep him, but it’s unlikely that the Swedish forward will complete his contract by 2028. For now, the club needs to adapt and overcome their challenges. As it stands, Isak holds the majority of Newcastle’s goals (13), whereas Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon each have 5. It’s a big gap to close, putting Isak’s immense contribution into perspective.

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Newcastle is on fire with a solid chance to finish in the upper echelon of the 2024/25 EPL. You can count on the Magpies to be the favourite in many head-to-head and expect strong counter-attacks even if they’re the underdog. There’s no stopping one of the season’s most promising clubs, especially when they have Isak, Guimarães, Murphy, and Trippier under Howe’s guidance.

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