Over the past two years, NUFC Blog have regularly reported on Newcastle United’s interest in Malick Thiaw, with this site releasing an exclusive on scouting trips to see the German back in June 2023.
We brought you news of Newcastle’s ongoing pursuit last summer as a move for Marc Guehi stalled, and were delighted to reveal in July that an agreement with AC Milan was close after the club committed to a deal for the 24-year-old.
Three months on from his arrival on Tyneside, Thiaw is looking one of the signings of the summer at £34m, never mind the best to arrive in the North East.
While his 6ft 4′ frame, turn of pace and capabilities on the ball have tempted Toon scouts for some time, the former Schalke talent has slotted in seamlessly and left many clubs fearing they’ve missed an absolute bargain given his monstrous potential and wide skillset.
He has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water and his latest Champions League display against Athletic Bilbao was another great example of his qualities.
He was William Saliba-esque at times, not only showing speed to recover or cover for Sven Botman, power to brush aside his man or aggression to remain dominant in duels, but reading the game expertly, staying switched on positionally and pinging some lovely diagonal passes.
Thiaw is also one of only three players who have contested 40+ duels in the Premier League this season and won 70% or more of them, with Liverpool’s Virgin van Dijk (77.22%) the only centre-back to better Thiaw’s 73.91% success rate.
While fellow right-footed centre-back Fabian Schar still has plenty to offer, Newcastle have been crying out for an injection of youth, strength and athleticism to their back line, and Thiaw offers exactly that.
But, while he is an impressive athlete and physical specimen, Thiaw still brings an air of composure and class to the side, whether that’s his sure-footed nature, ability to pick punchy passes beyond the opposition’s press or spread the play, as he did to great effect on a couple of occasions last night.
It is early days, but maintain anything like this early form and this could be one of the best defenders we’ve had at the club and a player destined to get back in that German national team ahead of next summer’s World Cup after his well-deserved call-up on Thursday.