NUFC Blog has been covering Newcastle United’s interest in Malick Thiaw on a regular basis over the last two years. In June 2023, this site will publish an exclusive about scouting trips to meet the German.
As a trade for Marc Guehi stalled last summer, we told you about Newcastle’s continued pursuit. In July, we were happy to announce that an agreement with AC Milan was near after the club committed to a deal for the 24-year-old.
At £34 million, three months after arriving on Tyneside, Thiaw appears to be one of the summer’s top acquisitions, not to mention the best to come to the Northeast.
Although Toon scouts have been drawn to his 6′ 4″ stature, quickness, and ball skills for a while, the former Schalke star has fit in perfectly and left many teams worried that they have lost out on a fantastic deal because of his enormous potential and diverse skill set.
He has adapted to the Premier League with ease, and his most recent Champions League performance against Athletic Bilbao was again another excellent illustration of his abilities.
He occasionally resembled William Saliba, displaying not only quickness to recover or cover for Sven Botman, strength to push aside his opponent, or aggression to maintain control in duels, but also deft game reading, positional awareness, and some beautiful diagonal passes.
Virgin van Dijk of Liverpool (77.22%) is the only center-back to surpass Thiaw’s 73.91% success record, while Thiaw is one of just three players who have participated in 40+ Premier League duels this season and won 70% or more of them.
While fellow right-footed center back Fabian Schar still has a lot to give, Thiaw has the youth, strength, and athleticism that Newcastle’s back line has been sorely lacking.
Even though Thiaw is an amazing athlete and physical specimen, he still exudes poise and class. This is evident in his sure-footedness, his ability to pick punchy passes beyond the opposition’s press, and his ability to spread the play, which he did quite successfully on a few occasions last night.
After his well-earned call-up on Thursday, he might be one of the best defenders the club has ever had and a player destined to return to the German national team before the World Cup next summer if he continues to play at this early level.
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