The transfer window is finally done and dusted. Attention can now turn to the start of the new Premier League season, which officially kicks off tonight.
Newcastle enjoyed a busy summer after appointing Steve Bruce, with Joelinton the big-money signing.
Allan Saint-Maximin, Jetro Willems, Emil Krafth and Andy Carroll all followed, but are the Magpies stronger or weaker when compared to last season?
The question was a hot topic of debate on social media among fans following a tweet from @NUFC360. When taking the squad and manager into consideration, a lot of fans were on the same page.
Twitter: @NUFC360 More excited about this squad than Rafa’s teams. Bruce is a downgrade but the shackles are off and we migh… https://t.co/wQA00HxzdB (@timcunningham80)
Twitter: @NUFC360 We’re stronger but we have a relegation specialist as Manager so I don’t know (@RoyalJoelinton)
Twitter: @NUFC360 This is the most EXPENSIVE & TALENTED Newcastle Utd squad since promotion.
If it got relegated it would b… https://t.co/65KjeOMSJy (@FactsRafa)
Twitter: @NUFC360 Stronger but still weak in the striker position imo and a much worse manager. Rondon would of been perfect… https://t.co/OPm80jW0A7 (@Leemcg4)
Twitter: @NUFC360 Hard to 100% say, but probably weaker. Lost our best two players from last season and not signed a single… https://t.co/LCVxBsmE18 (@nufcbase)
Twitter: @NUFC360 I don’t hold much hope for Bruce although I have no doubt that he will have good patches throughout the se… https://t.co/IsgsJHjklO (@DavidJG00615083)
Twitter: @NUFC360 First 11 arguably stronger imo, however manager is about 1,000,000 times worse and we’re thinner than last… https://t.co/hFlQONYt2o (@JordanRayner18)
Read Newcastle verdict
It’s a really difficult scenario for Newcastle fans. The managerial switch over the summer has changed the mood so drastically. There is a certain element of ‘what if’ surrounding the club.
What if Rafa was given those funds, those players?
The signings of Joelinton and Maximin are ones that can give supporters hope that there is more to this squad than the limited football that Benitez was forced to play last season.
While they remain unproven talents in the Premier League, there is a lot more potential and the reality is, only time will tell. Newcastle fans have every right to be cautious as they walk into an element of the unknown under Bruce.
