Newcastle’s new-look XI next season if Lucien Favre beats Antonio Conte to job

Newcastle United could be set to replace manager Steve Bruce after a Saudi-backed consortium bought the club last week. The Magpies became the richest club in world football following the takeover.

Newcastle have started the season in dismal form and are second bottom of the Premier League table after failing to win any of their first seven games.

A string of high-profile managers have been linked to the top job at St James’ Park, with Lucien Favre and Antonio Conte two of the names doing the rounds.

Express Sport takes a look at how Newcastle could line-up under Favre if Bruce is axed and the former Borussia Dortmund boss is preferred to Conte.

Goalkeeper – Dubravka

Newcastle have been without Martin Dubravka for the opening two months of the season, with the Slovakia international recovering from a foot injury.

Dubravka is Newcastle’s best keeper and Favre would undoubtedly make the 32-year-old his first-choice stopper. 

The keeper’s experience and consistency will be essential if Newcastle are to compete at the right end of the table.

Defence – Meunier, Lascelles, Akanji, Ritchie

Favre will be looking to ensure his Newcastle side can compete with the best. 

But their defence isn’t up to it as things currently stand, so the new boss will need to bring in reinforcements.

And he may try to persuade players he has previously worked with to join him in the north east.

Newcastle could do with a new right-back and Dortmund’s Thomas Meunier could be the perfect player.

Favre was the man who took the 30-year-old to Germany and could once again lure the defender with a big-money contract and promises of success ahead.

Manuel Akanji could be another player to make the move to the Premier League. The centre-back would slip in alongside captain Jamaal Lascelles at the heart of the team’s defence, with Matt Ritchie in at left-back for his set-piece threat.

Forwards -Saint-Maximin, Willock, Hazard, Wilson

Newcastle aren’t short of quality in front of goal if they can keep their forwards fit.

Allan Saint-Maximin is one of the most talented players in the Premier League and Favre would probably look to build his side around the Frenchman.

The new manager could complete his raid on his former club and sign Thorgan Hazard. The Belgium international would provide yet more creativity to help Newcastle become a bigger threat in front of goal.

The attacking duo would flank Callum Wilson, who will be tasked with putting the ball in the back of the net.

Meanwhile, summer signing Joe Willock could be asked to build on his incredible goalscoring record from last season by playing in a more advanced role just behind the front three.