Sven Botman was a key player for Newcastle this season. (Sto Forster / Getty Images photo)
Newcastle did not have the best start to the season, but they were very impressive from a defensive point of view. The 2-0 Sunday victory on Nottingham Forest saw a sixth white sheet in just 10 games, and at the heart of their strong exhibitions was Sven Botman.
Botman had a very impressive first season in Newcastle at the signing of Lille in 2022, but after that, he was in the grip of injury problems – which started after tearing his LCA. However, he has returned to the starting program in recent weeks, and this has also seen the team of Eddie Howe improves defensively.
Eddie Howe underlines Sven Botman Important for Newcastle
Speaking after victory over the forest (via Newcastle World), Howe expressed his joy with Botman, which he evaluates incredibly.
“I can say that I am really satisfied with Sven and Malick, I think they have very, very well together. I thought they could play together, but you have to see it working. But that means nothing other than the fact that they did very well at this point.
“I was really broken (when he torn his LCA) because we had lost a player, a character, a person, but a balloon distributor.
“I thought that Dan Burn in particular was absolutely magnificent, but Sven has qualities that Dan does not have and vice versa. They are both very different players. It’s great to see them now in the same team, always contributing to what they are.
“Sven can, from this moment, improve and return to its most very high levels, because there are not many, I would try to exchange it if it is at its best.”
If Botman is able to maintain its strong form for the rest of the season, Newcastle could see another transfer saga in 2026 – but this time, for him. Liverpool would have expressed his interest in recent months, which could intensify if Ibrahima Konate leaves next summer.
