Newcastle United contract renewals: to three other senior men
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.
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.
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.