Newcastle United once again left it late to finish the Premier League campaign in 13th position, with 45 points.
The Magpies were winless in their first ten league games, but an improved performance post-December saw them finish over Bournemouth, Burnley and Southampton.
Here are the three players, who impressed for the Magpies this season.
Fabian Schar
Fabian Schar is a strong contender for being the steal of last summer, after coming in for Deportivo La Coruna for just €4 million.
After a quiet start to the campaign, the Swiss international played a vital role in the Newcastle United, especially in a season where key defender Florian Lejeune struggled with injuries.
Schar’s partnership with club captain Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett in central defence served as a key reason behind the Magpies surviving relegation.
The 27-year old was also involved at the other end of the pitch, scoring four goals in 24 matches. His goal against Burnley was a contender for goal of the season, and Schar’s impressive display in the second half of the campaign deserves plaudits.
Ayoze Perez
In a season where Newcastle struggled to find the back of the net, Ayoze Perez’s tally of 12 goals was extremely important in finishing in mid-table.
The Spaniard ended the campaign as Newcastle’s top goalscorer and outscored the likes of Marcus Rashford, Wilfried Zaha, and Troy Deeney. Credit should be given to him for making full use of his opportunities and providing a threat on the counter. Perez’s clever runs and positioning final third were equally important.
However, Perez’s impressive performances have alerted a few clubs across Europe, including Arsenal.
The Gunners are reportedly plotting a £25 million swoop for the Spaniard and it will be interesting to see how this transfer saga takes shape in the coming weeks.
Salomon Rondon
Since arriving from West Brom on a season-long loan deal last summer, Salomon Rondon has been a revelation under Rafa Benitez.
The Venezuelan international has shown incredible commitment and work-ethic. But most importantly, he has cleverly made use of his physical prowess to hold-up the ball and open up spaces for teammates like Perez and Miguel Almiron.
Rondon has also boosted Newcastle’s productivity in front of goal, having found the back of the net 11 times this season while mustering seven assists.
However, it appears Rondon could be a victim of the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Newcastle at the moment and it remains to be seen whether or not the Magpies will want to prolong his stay at St. James’ Park this summer.
