NEWCASTLE SCOUTS TRACK JOAQUIN SEYS AS SCHAR AND BURN REMAIN SIDELINED
Newcastle United scouts are tracking Joaquin Seys as a solution to their defensive crisis. See how the Belgian star fits Howe's plan.
Newcastle United scouts are tracking Club Brugge’s Joaquin Seys, and honestly, it’s no surprise. Eddie Howe’s desperate for fresh options in defence right now. The story first came from Craig Hope at the Daily Mail, who pointed out that Newcastle are drawn to Seys because he can slot in just about anywhere across the backline.
Injuries have hammered Newcastle’s defence this season. They haven’t brought anyone in yet during the January window, but with Tino Livramento and Dan Burn both out, and Fabian Schar facing a long spell on the sidelines, they really don’t have much choice. The squad’s stretched thin, and everyone at the club knows it.
That’s why Seys stands out. He’s only 20, but he’s already a regular at Club Brugge and can play comfortably on either side. Newcastle want players who give them options, especially with so many matches in different competitions. Says fits the bill perfectly.
With the transfer deadline looming, the recruitment team at Newcastle is weighing up whether to make a formal move. Signing Seys would ease the pressure on Howe’s current backline and finally give him the cover he’s been missing this season.
Says just fits the way Howe wants to play. He’s got the energy and strength to handle that constant, high-intensity pressing game. He’s direct, aggressive, and likes to push forward—a lot like what you see from Trippier or Lewis Hall. Since he’s comfortable on both flanks, Howe can shuffle things around without worrying about the quality dropping off.
But it’s more than just his skills with the ball. Seys brings a certain grit. He’s tough, he tackles hard, and he’s not afraid to get stuck in from the first whistle. That’s exactly the kind of attitude Newcastle fans expect, and Howe demands. Sure, he’s still learning, but his Champions League minutes show he’s got the mentality for big nights.
Bringing in Seys now wouldn’t just patch up the defensive crisis—it would lock in a top prospect for the future. Newcastle need results now, but they’re also building something. Says just feels like the right move.
PRESSURE PEAK: EDDIE HOWE REJECTS EXCUSES AS NEWCASTLE FACE A SEASON-DEFINING MARCH STRETCH
Eddie Howe is fighting back: Read why the Newcastle boss rejects schedule excuses and how the Magpies plan to stun Barcelona.
Eddie Howe isn’t having any of the usual excuses about a packed schedule if Newcastle’s 2025/26 season fizzles out. Right now, that’s pretty close to what’s happening in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, over on Warwick Street in Heaton, the road’s shut after a crash.
Newcastle’s been busy in Barcelona away, with big FA Cup ties against Man City. Sure, those sound exciting, but if the cup runs end early (and most bookies seem to think they will), Newcastle faces an uphill battle to save their league campaign.
If they weren’t in the cup competitions, people would probably accuse the team of checking out early, already thinking about the summer holidays. The season could still end in glory, but if they’re not careful, they’ll slip into the bottom half of the table.
Howe isn’t sugarcoating the pressure. “I hate calling anything impossible,” he said. “That just hands everyone an excuse. Yeah, it’s tough. Our schedule this year makes the one from two years ago look like a breeze.
“It’s really stretched the players’ fitness, our resources, our energy, everything. No doubt, some guys have gone into games running on empty.
“I know we’re a good side. We’ve made progress. But sometimes it feels like just when we’re moving forward, we get knocked back.”
Howe’s not thrilled about the recent run of five losses in six. “A blip like this doesn’t feel normal. It hurts. We’re always trying to give the fans what they want, and lately, we just haven’t.”
Still, a couple of years ago, Newcastle would’ve jumped at the chance to play this kind of schedule. Up next: Man United, Man City in the FA Cup, Barcelona, Chelsea, and a trip to the Nou Camp. Sunderland rounds out March, a stretch that could shape not just this season but the future of St James’ Park.
How’s the message? “You look at the fixtures; you’ve got to stay positive. We have to enjoy these games. Can’t play scared.
“We have to go after them, stay aggressive, and keep our heads up.
“A few years back, if you’d told us these were our next matches, we’d have bitten your hand off for it. Well, here we are.
“So let’s not look back. Eyes forward.”
THE WOLTEMADE MYSTERY: WHY DID EDDIE HOWE PULL HIM AFTER ONLY 25 MINUTES?
Newcastle 3-2 Everton: Read Eddie Howe’s reaction to Nick Woltemade’s 14-touch nightmare and the 12-point Champions League gap.
Eddie Howe didn’t hide his frustration after Newcastle’s rough 3-2 loss to Everton. He admitted they just couldn’t get Nick Woltemade involved; he barely touched the ball before Howe pulled him off after only 25 minutes up front.
Woltemade, the club’s £69 million signing, started in midfield, but it just didn’t click. He got shifted into attack in the second half, but that didn’t work either. After just 14 touches, Howe went back to Anthony Gordon leading the line.
Asked about Woltemade’s quiet night, Howe told Chronicle Live, “We moved things around trying to find a spark. Honestly, we didn’t start well and gave up an early goal. The guys needed new energy, especially after halftime, which was our best spell. But with Nick, we just couldn’t get him on the ball enough, even after moving him up front. He wasn’t getting touches or really getting involved near the goal. That’s why I had to make those changes.”
Now Newcastle’s Premier League season is in real trouble. They’re 12 points off the Champions League spots and fighting just to reach the Europa Conference League unless they pull off something big in the FA Cup or Champions League.
Howe owned up to the team’s slump. “Yeah, in the Premier League, our form just hasn’t been good enough for a while. We know it, and we take responsibility. It’s really frustrating. That’s part of playing in Europe, but we’ve tried to go all-in on every game and treat them all as important. With so many games, though, focus slips. Our league results lately just haven’t been anywhere near what they used to be. Home form used to be so reliable, but that’s dropped off too. We need to get that back fast. St James’ Park should be where we collect the most points, the place where players feel free to play. Lately, that just hasn’t happened.”
Howe even ended up taking Gordon off, which didn’t go over well; some boos rang out after Gordon lost the ball and Everton scored the winner.
“I honestly didn’t notice that,” Howe said, about the crowd’s reaction. “But when that happens, we’ve got to stick together. I’ll back him, and I hope the fans do too.”
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