Newcastle United confirm a move for buccaneering Dutchman: Is he first-choice quality?

Newcastle United have come alive in the transfer market after the signing of Joelinton for a club-record fee, and have confirmed the arrival of two more players – Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems.

While Saint-Maximin has been signed on a permanent deal, Willems comes on loan from Bundesliga outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.

Willems has been with the German club since 2017, having signed for them from PSV Eindhoven.

The Dutch international has joined Newcastle on loan with an option to buy, with his contract at the German club expiring in 2021. 

The full-back is the fourth Newcastle United signing in the 2019 summer transfer window, after the arrivals of Joelinton, Kyle Scott, and Saint-Maximin.

The 25-year-old left-back made 36 appearances for Eintracht last season, managing 2 assists in the process. Willems has played 65 times for Frankfurt in the last two seasons, and was a key member of the German side’s squad, while he has also made 22 appearances for the Dutch national team.

Willems – First-choice quality?

Newcastle United needed to strengthen their team significantly at the end of last season, and they have been active in the last few weeks after a dull opening to the window.

One of the areas that needed more competition was the left-back position as the Magpies had just one quality player in that position last season – Paul Dummett. Newcastle used winger Matt Ritchie at left-back last season, which was a stop-gap solution to a long-term problem.

Willems was a highly-rated player who made his Netherlands debut as at the age of 18, and was expected to become a top-class player, but injuries halted his progress.

The 25-year-old is a strong and quick full-back, who likes to bomb up and down the flank, while also possessing good stamina. The left-back is strong on the ball and is a player who likes to dribble and cross, while also being good in set-piece situations.

While he predominantly plays as a left-back, Willems also excelled in a central midfield position last season for Eintracht Frankfurt. But, at Newcastle, he will most likely compete with Dummett for the left-back position, and can make it is his own as he is a much more dynamic player than Dummett and could be a great attacking threat for Newcastle down the left.