Howe could axe Murphy to unleash Newcastle’s “unbounded” £80k-p/w star vs Chelsea – opinion

Newcastle United take on a resurgent Chelsea this afternoon and Eddie Howe will be hoping for a much better performance than his side put in last weekend.

   The Magpies fell to an impressive Brighton side who look set to take the next step under Fabian Hurzeler.    The same cannot be said for Howe’s Newcastle at the moment.

   If he fails to properly rejuvenate the team in the summer, it will no doubt backfire on him.

   Against the Blues, the Englishman could make a few changes to freshen things up as some members of the squad were disappointed last weekend, including Jacob Murphy.

   Jacob Murphy’s game in numbers against Brighton

   Along with Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, Murphy was dropped as part of a front three that hoped to wreak havoc on Brighton’s defence.

   Despite 21 shots, the Magpies failed to score, and the winger was quite subdued throughout the game.

   Murphy may have attempted two dribbles, made a key pass and had two shots blocked, but other than that he wasn’t at his best.

   The Englishman lost 10 possessions, won just one of his five tackles and passed once in his 65 minutes on the pitch, replaced by Harvey Barnes, who won 100% of his tackles and succeeded in 100% of his  dribbles.  , shows much more dynamic than Murphy.

   So the former Leicester City man should return to the starting line-up against Chelsea, meaning Murphy will drop to the bench.

   Howe must drop Harvey Barnes against Chelsea

   Barnes simply has a more direct attacking threat in the final third.    This season, the 26-year-old scored three goals and registered one assist in ten games.

   Murphy, however, has just two assists in eight Premier League games without scoring.

   Barnes has also created three big chances, averaging 0.9 key passes and succeeding on 50% of his dribbling attempts.    Contrast that with the 29-year-old, who has created plenty of chances and also averages 0.9 key passes per game, but succeeds in just 33% of his dribble attempts.

   It is clear who Howe should release in the starting line-up, especially if he is to secure a positive result against Enzo Maresco’s men today.

   The £80,000-a-week dynamo is in terrific form and his performance last weekend proved he was ready to be unleashed from the first whistle against the Blues.

   Howe praised the winger earlier this campaign after his stunning late winner against Wolves, saying: “His qualities are limitless and he’s a goalscoring winger, but there aren’t many. He’s one of the best finishing wingers I’ve seen.”

   If he starts today, Barnes could change Newcastle’s game.    Because there is no doubt.