Newcastle United’s 2025/26 season has been one of promise blended with frustration.
While their defensive record remains one of the best in the Premier League – six clean sheets already this season – their attacking consistency has faltered.
The Magpies have looked strong at St. James’ Park but sluggish on the road, struggling at times to turn control into goals.
Eddie Howe’s side sit comfortably in mid-table, though many supporters expected more after last year’s Champions League qualification.
Their issues have been familiar ones – injuries to key full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, which forced Howe to shuffle his backline.
Fortunately, Malick Thiaw’s calm presence alongside Sven Botman has provided stability, while Dan Burn has once again filled in wherever required.
Despite these disruptions, Newcastle remain difficult to beat. They boast the second-lowest expected goals conceded (4.9) in the league, a testament to their structure and discipline.
Yet, as they seek greater attacking fluidity, attention inevitably turns to one man who has been the face of their attacking revival under Howe.
Anthony Gordon's form in numbers
Anthony Gordon has become the symbol of Newcastle’s evolution under Howe – an embodiment of energy, aggression, and belief.
Having joined from Everton in a deal worth £45m, he has since justified every penny, developing into one of the Premier League’s most direct and productive wide forwards.
Last season, Gordon contributed 11 goals and nine assists in all competitions, earning a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England squad.
His end product, once questioned, has improved dramatically thanks to Howe’s coaching.
He ranks among the top 10% of Premier League wingers for successful take-ons (2.47 per 90) and progressive carries (5.91 per 90), while averaging 2.2 key passes per game.
Matches Played
34
Goals
6
Assists
5
Progressive Carries
121
Progressive Passes
98
But Gordon’s greatest asset lies in his mentality.
He presses relentlessly, tracks back, and plays with the intensity Newcastle fans demand.
In recent fixtures, his combination play with Nick Woltemade has been central to Newcastle’s attacking threat, often driving transitions from deep and providing the spark when games look flat.
Howe has nurtured Gordon into a well-rounded, two-way player capable of influencing big games.
However, while the 24-year-old’s rise has rightly drawn attention, there’s another name inside the club quietly making waves – and he could be an even greater attacking weapon in years to come.
Newcastle have the next breakout star in waiting
In the shadows of Gordon’s rise, Seung-soo Park has been steadily earning admiration from Newcastle’s coaching staff.
The 18-year-old South Korean winger, who arrived from Ulsan Hyundai for a modest fee, has been said by Asian football expert John Duerden to be “similar to Mbappé” for his acceleration, close control, and composure in one-on-one situations.
Park’s development path mirrors Howe’s philosophy of patient integration.
Having initially trained with the U21s, he’s now a regular in Premier League 2, also impressing in the UEFA Youth League.
His off-ball intelligence – particularly his timing when attacking space behind full-backs – has caught the eye of the first-team analysts.
At just 18, Park’s statistical profile is already elite for his age group.
Last season, he averaged 4.8 successful dribbles per 90, ranked in the 92nd percentile for progressive carries, and completed 83% of his passes in the final third, as per Sofascore, a rare combination of flair and precision.
His ability to maintain tempo while carrying the ball resembles the traits that made Mbappé stand out as a teenager at Monaco – explosiveness matched with control.
Howe’s staff view him as more than just a development project.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
With Newcastle competing on multiple fronts, Park could soon see first-team action, particularly with the ongoing injury crisis.
Much like Howe did with Lewis Miley last season, the manager has a track record of rewarding academy excellence.
If Park continues his current form, it’s only a matter of time before he steps onto the Premier League stage.
His versatility, able to operate on either flank or even as a second striker, gives Howe tactical flexibility – something Newcastle have missed at times this season.
While Gordon remains the headline act in Newcastle’s attack, Park may yet become the more complete forward.
He combines Gordon’s intensity with an even sharper technical ceiling, blending raw pace, control, and end product that hints at world-class potential.
For a club intent on competing with England’s elite, Howe’s faith in youth could once again be the defining factor of their project.
