Although Newcastle's young side came within seconds of defeating Liverpool on the opening weekend, there was always going to be work to do before the window shut on 1 September.
Newcastle have made six signings so far this summer in goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen, defender Amar Dedic, midfielders Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur and forward Bazoumana Toure.
But Matthias Jaissle made it clear that "adjustments need to be done and will be" in an interview with BBC Sport last week.
After reluctantly selling talisman Guimaraes to Arsenal, Nico Gonzalez possesses the qualities Newcastle have been looking for in the middle of the park.
This is a player who would have been potentially out of reach not so long ago.
Of those midfielders who played a minimum of 900 minutes in Europe's top five leagues last season, Gonzalez led the way for high turnovers per game (2.13).
He also ranked in the Premier League's top five midfielders for line-breaking passes per match (12).
Those traits - in and out of possession - could make Gonzalez an invaluable addition as he is handed a greater role at St James' Park.
Leave a Comment