When Eddie Howe looked at his options last summer, he was worried. Newcastle United needed a centre-back who could elevate the team — but the list of realistic targets was short. After missing out on Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko, Joao Pedro, and James Trafford in previous windows, Howe feared another setback.
His top choice was Malick Thiaw, then 24 and playing for AC Milan. The question was whether Newcastle could convince both the Italian giants and the player himself.
This time, they did. In August, the Magpies completed a £35 million transfer, a deal that went largely under the radar amid bigger-money moves for Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, and Jacob Ramsey.
But Howe knew from the start: Thiaw would be crucial.
“Malick is an outstanding talent and has a little bit of everything in his game,” Howe said. “I’ve been really pleased with how he’s started.”
Newcastle’s scouting team had followed Thiaw closely at Milan. They saw a player who was tall, composed under pressure, strong in duels, and comfortable playing out from the back — a rare combination at that price point.
Thiaw, for his part, was eager for the challenge. He had researched Newcastle, spoken extensively with Howe, and decided the club matched his ambitions.
Former Newcastle performance consultant Paul Winsper, who met Thiaw during a training camp in the Lake District, even helped “sell the North East” to him.
“His mentality reminds me a lot of Toni Rüdiger,” Winsper said. “When you put him under pressure, he thrives.”
That mindset was tested immediately when Fabian Schär, a mainstay under Howe, suffered a concussion. Instead of shrinking from the moment, Thiaw seized it.
He had spent his early weeks on the bench studying the pace and intensity of Premier League football, earning praise from coaches for his preparation. When his full debut came against Bournemouth, he was ready — and he hasn’t looked back since.
His childhood friend Erdem Canpolat summed it up best:
“Malick never shies away from a challenge and always wants to lead from the front — a true mentality monster.”
Since Thiaw’s introduction, Newcastle’s defence has tightened significantly. They’ve conceded just six goals in nine matches across all competitions, with only Arsenal boasting more clean sheets (five) and a lower expected goals against (7.33) in the Premier League.
Thiaw has formed a formidable partnership with Sven Botman, combining physical dominance with composure on the ball. His stats back it up — among defenders with at least 400 minutes played this season, he ranks:
He’s also one of Newcastle’s most reliable passers, completing 87% of his attempts — second only to Jacob Ramsey.
Former Schalke teammate Can Bozdogan highlighted why that matters:
“He’s not a defender who just clears the ball. He tries to find solutions. He’s technical, strong, fast, and reads the game brilliantly. Newcastle will have a lot of fun with him.”
In a short time, Thiaw has become a crowd favourite on Tyneside. The St James’ Park faithful already have a chant for him — sung to the tune of ‘Ciao Bella’ — as he continues to embody Howe’s vision of resilience, focus, and hunger.
It may be early days, but Thiaw looks every bit the leader Newcastle hoped for — the composed, driven “mentality monster” who could anchor their defence for years to come.
