He may not be a player Eddie Howe currently has an interest in, but a look at the data suggests Newcastle United should be keen on Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey.
United boss Howe has played down speculation linking him with the 22-year-old, who has been on the fringes of Unai Emery’s Villa first team this season. And it is clear that Newcastle are planning only to buy this month if they sell.
But statistics point to why Ramsey could be hugely valuable to Howe, given one particular and persistent injury issue he is facing. Newcastle’s midfield options were left further decimated last week by the loss for the season of Joelinton. But Ramsey looks the ideal replacement for another dynamic player missing for far longer from Howe’s engine room.
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Joe Willock’s absence with an Achilles injury has been hugely damaging for Newcastle. Away from home, in particular, the loss of his legs is a huge handicap for Howe. But with Willock still a while away from returning and challenging for a first-team place – and Achilles problems notoriously difficult to overcome, Ramsey’s stats paint him as the ideal replacement.
He has played in only 10 Premier League games this season, and featured in 14 games in all competitions. But Ramsey was a key player for Emery in 2022-23, with six goals and seven assists in 31 starts for his hometown club.
As for Newcastle’s loss of Willock and the energy he brings, Ramsey ranks in the top 97% midfield players in Europe for progressive carries upfield and in the top 98% for progressive carries into the penalty box. Willock? 99% and 98%.
Ramsey also ranks in the top 95% midfielders across Europe for non-penalty goals, compared to Willock’s 59%. And Ramsey’s versatility – he is able to play through the centre as well as cover on the left – should also be attractive.
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