Newcastle United contract renewals: The cases of Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie and Jamaal Lascelles
Newcastle United have renewed Emil Krafth's deal but three other senior men could follow with new contracts
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe stated he was "delighted" to hand Sweden international Emil Krafth a new deal this week as he starts to flesh out his squad for the 2024/25 season.
Some may wonder why United are offering fringe squad players new deals given their lack of opportunities but Howe has his reasons. For a start, keeping a low-maintenance squad member like 29-year-old Krafth on board makes financial and footballing sense.
Krafth won't play every week but knows he will get his chance across the season while Howe can be confident that he won't be banging his door down demanding starts. Krafth has made 11 appearances totalling just 223 minutes this season.
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If Kieran Trippier picks up an injury or any of the centre-backs, Krafth is a no-nonsense character who will slot into the back four. Krafth has even featured in a popular fan chant that features himself, Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie, something that could yet get an airing next season too.
Handing Krafth and the other squad members makes sound FFP sense because the money it would cost to bring in a player who can provide back-up would jeopardise the transfer kitty for other key areas. Here we look at the cases of those who might be up for an extension to their current deals.
Paul Dummett
There's no doubt that the former Wales international wants more minutes than he is currently getting with just 185 minutes to his name this season. In 2024 he has only had a few minutes of stoppage time at the end of the Wear-Tyne derby and while he savoured every second of beating Sunderland 3-0 as an Academy product, it gave him the taste for more.
Dummett was linked with Ipswich Town on deadline day and there was thought to have been a conversation with one of the genuine promotion favourites Leeds. But significantly Howe made it clear he wouldn't be letting him leave, even on loan.
The long-serving defender will be hoping for a chance in the last 14 games while the FA Cup tie at Blackburn could see one or two players rested giving him an extra opportunity perhaps. After that, Howe may well ask the 32-year-old for an extra year, whether Dummett takes it up or looks to test the free transfer market remains to be seen.
Matt Ritchie
The former Scotland winger is another who Howe has used in squad rotation this season with 11 appearances to his name. Ritchie, at 34, accepts his days of starting week in, week out are over.
But he is regarded as a key senior member of Howe's squad who also acts as a mentor to some of the younger players. Ritchie remains dedicated to Newcastle and is prepared to offer his services when needed, even if that was to come on for 30 seconds in stoppage time to run down the clock.
With Ritchie tipped as a future coach he could be an ideal backroom staff addition for the future. But for now, he is a solid squad member.
The other thing to consider for Howe is the quality of training sessions with Dummett, Krafth and Ritchie all taking the standards up not down and keeping others on their toes. Keeping Ritchie - as the chant goes - for "10 more years" might be a stretch, but he may be handed a one-year extension.
Jamaal Lascelles
There was a scramble for the centre-back's services in January with Lyon and Besiktas both keen on the club skipper. But the defender stayed on and was named as substitute against Nottingham Forest after coming back from injury.
Lascelles has been more than a bit-part player this season after making 22 appearances for Howe's team and featuring in big wins over Paris St-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea and Man City the Carabao Cup. The word from the Lascelles camp in January was: "He's committed to Newcastle."
So a new deal could be triggered soon and at 30, you feel Lascelles still has plenty to offer. The price to bring in a back-up centre-back to cover Sven Botman and Fabian Schar could cost millions.