Winger is a perfect fit for Eddie Howe's Magpies

EVEN Pep Guardiola has taken note.

- By CIARAN KELLY

“Today, modern football is the way Bournemouth, Newcastle, Brighton and Liverpool play,’ the Manchester City boss observed just a few months ago. “Modern football is not positional. You have to ride the rhythm”

That's for sure. Fast breaks, which are instances where teams turn defence into attack after winning the ball in their own half, have hit record levels in the top-flight.

Newcastle United have consciously worked on such scenarios in training and the Magpies’ ability to hurt teams on transition was crucial last year, particularly on the road.

In fact, with Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes all chipping in, Newcastle were ranked among the top few sides in the Premier League for direct attacks (81), shots in transition (194) and shots from fast breaks (45) in 2024-25.

However, there is still potential for further growth. Newcastle managed just five goals from fast breaks last season whereas champions Liverpool led the way with 14.

When it came to shot ending high turnovers, Bournemouth had 21 more than Newcastle.