Newcastle United are set to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Monday, March 11. Ahead of the clash, Eddie Howe shared an injury update on his squad and spoke about the likes of Anthony Gordon and Jamal Lascelles in his press conference.
Let’s take a look at some of the key parts from Eddie Howe’s press conference ahead of Newcastle’s visit to Chelsea:
Kieran Trippier injury
Club captain Kieran Trippier suffered an injury during their 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in their last game. Eddie Howe has confirmed that the Englishman will miss the Chelsea clash and their FA Cup quarter-finals at Manchester City.
Anthony Gordon’s progress
Eddie Howe heaped praise on Anthony Gordon, who has been one of Newcastle’s key players this season. Howe said that the winger has “added the goals and assists, which is something he needed to do to become the best player he is capable of being”.
Gordon has scored 10 goals and provided seven assists in 38 games across competitions this season.
Jamaal Lascelles contract extension
Newcastle have triggered the option to extend Jamaal Lascelles’ contract by one year as confirmed by Eddie Howe in his press conference. He said:
“He’s done incredibly well as a leader and a captain of the group, but also as a player – his game has really developed and he’s played an important part this season. There is good competition for places in that area now with everybody fit but he’s an integral part of what we’re doing.”
Lascelles’ contract will now run until 2025. He joined the Magpies from Nottingham Forest in 2014 and has made 249 appearances for them.
On fighting for European places
Newcastle incredibly qualified for the UEFA Champions League this year, having finished fourth in the Premier League last season. They finished at the bottom of their Champions League group and are unlikely to return to the competition next season.
They are, however, eighth and could qualify for the UEFA Europa League or the Europa Conference League. On this, Eddie Howe said:
“In terms of analysing tables and teams around us, I’ll leave that to you guys.”
Newcastle are six points behind sixth-placed Manchester United.
On Chelsea
On Chelsea, Eddie Howe said:
“They have improved throughout the season. Slowly but surely, they’ve got better and better. They’ve got top-quality players, an outstanding manager and a lot of young players that they’ve invested in and they’re trying to develop. These things take time.”
Chelsea have had a disappointing season as they sit 11th in the table, four points behind the Magpies.
Also Read: Ben Chilwell Injury: Chelsea defender to seek expert on injury issue
On Newcastle’s Carabao Cup defeat against Chelsea
The Magpies lost at Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on December 19. The game ended 1-1 after extra time but the Blues won 4-2 in the shootout.
Reflecting on the game, Howe said:
“It was a difficult night. We did a lot right and it was in the middle of our injury difficulties. The players who played gave everything and we were so close. The shootout was difficult as well but I’d like to think we learned from that. Through every difficult experience, there’s always a positive if you can find it and that’s how we’ve tried to look at that game.”
Chelsea eventually reached the final but lost to Liverpool in extra time. Incidentally, Newcastle had reached the Carabao Cup final last year but lost against Manchester United.