On Sky Sports’ Saturday Social there is a weekly segment where they ask YouTube football personalities to create lists around a given topic.
With the World Cup break upon us after this weekend’s round of fixtures, the theme this week was to choose the best 11 of the season so far. They went with a 4-3-3 formation and Newcastle came out with five representatives in the final squad and an honourable mention for Eddie Howe as Manager.
James Alcott and Harry Pinero were tasked with agreeing on the best eleven, with the pair often agreeing on who should be in the team or coming to an amicable compromise at least.
Nick Pope kicked off as the first one on the board with Pinero adamant that he had to be in the team given his form and the lack of goals conceded by Newcastle this term. Alcott had Dean Henderson but ultimately agreed on Pope. Then both chose Kieran Trippier at right-back. I mean, is there really anybody else in that position anywhere near the form he’s in? No is the answer to that rhetorical question.
Sven Botman got a mention for centre-back but failed to make the cut, much like he did for his National side. Dan Burn was Alcott’s choice for left-back and so convincing was his argument that Burn made the cut.
There was absolutely no argument about Bruno Guimaraes making the central midfield role with Alcott waxing lyrical about our Brazilian hero. Then after some debate over what side Saka should be played on, he was eventually placed on the left to make room for Miguel Almiron on the right as there was simply no way he couldn’t be included.
Newcastle targets James Maddison and Leandro Trossard were mentioned with Maddison making the cut alongside some discussion about his proposed transfer to Newcastle, but Trossard was left out in favour of Almiron/Saka.
Mikel Arteta beat Eddie Howe to the manager spot by virtue of their league position and Newcastle’s dominance on the team selection.
It just shows how far we’ve come this season that we have so many players represented in an eleven chosen by non-Newcastle fans, not to mention that we are the most represented club in the England World Cup squad.
What a time to be a Geordie!