Newcastle United’s £35 million summer signing Malick Thiaw is quickly proving to be one of the smartest defensive acquisitions of the Eddie Howe era. The 24-year-old German international, once considered a rising star at AC Milan, has seamlessly adapted to the Premier League’s intensity — becoming a cornerstone of Newcastle’s back line and earning the affectionate nickname “mentality monster” among fans and teammates alike.
Eddie Howe’s Fearful Search for a Leader
Last summer, Eddie Howe admitted he was “fearful.” Newcastle were desperate to reinforce their defence but struggled to secure top-tier talent within financial fair play limits. After missing out on Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Šeško, and João Pedro, the Magpies set their sights on Thiaw — a composed, powerful centre-back known for his intelligence and aerial dominance.
Despite fierce European competition, Newcastle completed a £35m transfer in August, a deal that quietly went under the radar as the club broke their record for German striker Nick Woltemade and invested heavily in Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, and Jacob Ramsey. For Howe, however, Thiaw was always the “priority piece.”
“Malick is an outstanding talent and has a little bit of everything in his game,” Howe said this week. “I’ve been really pleased with how he’s started.”
From Milan to the Toon: Thriving Under Pressure
Newcastle’s recruitment team had tracked Thiaw since his days in Serie A, impressed by his blend of physical presence, tactical discipline, and technical confidence. Standing at 6ft 4in, Thiaw’s stature and calmness under pressure were viewed as ideal for Premier League demands.
The German defender, capped three times for his national team, didn’t hesitate to make the move. After personal talks with Howe, Thiaw was convinced St James’ Park aligned perfectly with his ambitions.
“He was proud of Newcastle’s interest,” a club source revealed. “He did his homework on the club, the fans, and the project.”
High-performance consultant Paul Winsper, who previously worked with Newcastle and elite athletes such as Anthony Joshua, Maro Itoje, and Antonio Rüdiger, also played a role in persuading Thiaw.
“His mentality reminds me a lot of Toni Rüdiger,” Winsper said. “When he’s under pressure, he thrives — that’s his strength.”
Earning His Place and Leading the Line
When veteran defender Fabian Schär suffered a concussion, Thiaw stepped in — and never looked back. Despite initially starting the season on the bench, he impressed staff with his focus and adaptability in training.
Since making his full debut against Bournemouth, Thiaw has been a revelation. He has helped Newcastle concede only six goals in nine matches across all competitions, forming a solid defensive partnership with Sven Botman.
According to Opta, among Premier League defenders with at least 400 minutes played:
- 4th for interceptions (1.79 per 90 mins)
- 6th for aerial duels won (4.17 per 90 mins)
- 6th for overall duel success (71%)
- 2nd highest pass completion rate in Newcastle’s squad (87%)
“He’s just been himself,” Howe praised. “He’s calm, assured, and always looking to improve.”
Former Schalke teammate Can Bozdogan echoed that sentiment:
“He’s a central defender with great technique. He reads the game, builds from the back, and doesn’t panic. Newcastle will have a lot of fun with him.”
A Fan Favourite and a Symbol of Resilience
Thiaw’s rise has not gone unnoticed by Newcastle fans. The Geordie faithful have even created a terrace chant for him to the tune of ‘Ciao Bella’, celebrating both his passion and professionalism.
His friend Erdem Canpolat, who grew up alongside him in Schalke’s academy, summed it up best:
“Malick never shies away from a challenge and always leads from the front — a true mentality monster.”
Under Howe, Newcastle’s defence has been among the Premier League’s most resilient. Only Arsenal have more clean sheets this season, and the Magpies boast one of the league’s lowest xG against figures (7.33) — proof of Thiaw’s growing influence.
A Mentality to Match the Ambition
Still early in his Newcastle journey, Thiaw’s blend of composure, leadership, and relentless mindset makes him an emblem of Eddie Howe’s evolving Newcastle project — one built not only on ability, but on attitude.
If his early performances are any indication, the German “mentality monster” could soon become one of the Premier League’s standout defenders — and the heartbeat of Newcastle United’s defensive revolution.
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