Eddie Howe noted that Sven Putman is “ready” to make his Premier League debut during Newcastle United’s meeting with newly promoted Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park, speaking to The Chronicle.
After several months of constant speculation, an epic will-won’t-it-dominated Tyneside narrative and made more headlines than a toxic Hollywood romance, is Botman worth the wait?
It looks like the new £35m Newcastle defender will be revealed in front of the Newcastle fans on Saturday afternoon. The winners of the final matches Nottingham Forest are the visitors this weekend.
And while Putman may take a while to get used to life on English shores, Howe clearly has no qualms about throwing the 2021 Ligue 1 champion into the deep end.
“I think he’s ready to play,” Howe says. “I’ve seen him during pre-season and what a talent he is.
“I think it would be everything we hoped it would be. He is good technically, very strong and very good in defence.”
Will Sven Putman start against Nottingham Forest at St James’ Park?
The most expensive of the three summer Newcastle arrivals so far, Putman won’t come easy against Forrest. Not with the broad-shouldered power Taiwo Awoniyi would likely drive for Steve Cooper visitors.
Only five players in the Bundesliga scored more goals than last season; Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, Patrick Schick, Anthony Modeste and Christopher Nkunku.
“Sven settled down straight away,” Newcastle teammate Kieran Trippier told Sky from the Dutch international two weeks ago, during the club’s pre-season tour.
“The way he plays and the way he drives the ball…”
Nick Pope must also make his Newcastle debut against Nottingham Forest. However, Saturday’s opener may come too early for Jonjo Shelvey. Jamal Luis, Federico Fernandez and Javier Manquillo are offline at the moment.
“Gongo Shelvey is in London tonight for another assessment so we’re not sure about him. We’re not too bad apart from him,” adds Howe.
“Jamal Luis and Federico Fernandez are almost back. Javier Manquillo is back in training.”
In other news, Fulham ‘very close’ to signing £9m West Ham goal, looks like Neymar