Ever since the Saudi Prince Investment Fund (PIF) took over Newcastle United in 2021, the club has made impressive signings that have had a significant impact. Among these signings are Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes, who were acquired for substantial fees exceeding £30 million. Their contributions were instrumental in helping the team secure a spot in the Champions League, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in two decades.
Since the arrival of the PIF, Newcastle United has made substantial investments in player acquisitions, surpassing £420 million. The club’s board has demonstrated a strong commitment to propelling the team forward and narrowing the gap between themselves and big-spending clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United.
Under the leadership of current manager Eddie Howe, the club has undergone a remarkable transformation. They have transitioned from battling relegation to comfortably positioning themselves in the top half of the Premier League. Such a turnaround would have been unimaginable just two seasons ago.
While the squad and recruitment have been commendable, there appears to have been a significant mistake made by allowing a young talent to leave St James’ Park in 2018. The former Newcastle player in question has been enjoying tremendous success once again in English football.
Adam Armstrong’s stats at Newcastle United
Adam Armstrong, a native of Newcastle, began his journey with the Magpies as a young player. Joining the club at the age of nine, the talented striker swiftly progressed through the ranks at St James’ Park.
In 2014, Armstrong had the opportunity to make his debut for the Newcastle United first team. During a Premier League match against Fulham, he entered the field in the 86th minute, replacing Luuk De Jong. This appearance made Armstrong the second-youngest player to feature in a Premier League match for Newcastle at that time.
After his initial start for Newcastle United, Armstrong had to wait for another nine months before earning his first top-flight start for the club. At the age of 17, he led the line for the Magpies in a 3-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Throughout his time at Newcastle, Armstrong had several loan spells at Football League clubs like Coventry City and Barnsley. He made a strong impression during these loan spells, scoring a total of 26 goals. However, despite his performances, he struggled to break into the first-team setup at Newcastle.
Armstrong’s first start for Newcastle United XI occurred in a match against Crystal Palace in September 2014. The starting lineup for that game included players such as Rob Elliot in goal, Daryl Janmaat at right-back, Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini as center-backs, Paul Dummett at left-back, Jack Colback and Mehdi Abeid in central midfield, with Armstrong playing as an attacking midfielder. The wide positions were occupied by Gabriel Obertan on the right and Sammy Ameobi on the left, with Emmanuel Riviere as the lone striker.
Following his loan spells, Armstrong’s last appearance for Newcastle came in 2016. He then went on to have two more loan spells, first at Bolton Wanderers and then at Blackburn Rovers. Eventually, Blackburn Rovers made his move permanent in August 2018 for a transfer fee of approximately £1.7 million.
Adam Armstrong’s stats since leaving Newcastle United
Following his move to Blackburn Rovers, Armstrong had a solid start to his Championship career during the 2018/19 season. He showcased his abilities by scoring five goals and providing five assists in the league, an impressive output for a 21-year-old in his first full season in England’s second tier.
Building on his initial success, Armstrong continued to thrive in subsequent seasons. In the following campaign, he found the back of the net 16 times in 46 games, establishing himself as one of the top scorers in the division. His goal-scoring exploits positioned him as the joint-sixth highest scorer in the Championship. This consistent performance demonstrated Armstrong’s growing reputation and impact in English football.
However, despite his impressive goalscoring record in 2019/20, it was the 2020/21 season that caught the eye of multiple Premier League sides, with Armstrong a man in demand.
His tally of 28 Championship goals that season, a tally only bettered by another former Newcastle youngster in Ivan Toney, saw Southampton fork out £15m for his signature – with Armstrong finally back in the Premier League just three years after his permanent departure from St James’ Park.
Armstrong since leaving Newcastle in 2018
Season (Club)
Games
Goals
2018/19 (Blackburn)
44
5
2019/20 (Blackburn)
46
16
2020/21 (Blackburn)
40
28
2021/22 (Southampton)
23
2
2022/23 (Southampton)
30
2
2023/24 (Southampton)
35
17
Stats via Transfermarkt
It’s safe to say he struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League during his first two campaigns at St Mary’s with the striker only managing to find the net four times in his 53 top-flight appearances for the Saints.
However, after relegation at the end of last season, the now 27-year-old is brimming with confidence and looking like a completely different prospect.
In the current season under the management of Russell Martin, Armstrong has been in exceptional form in the Championship. In his 35 appearances, he has found the back of the net 17 times and provided 11 assists for his teammates. This impressive contribution puts him at the top of the leaderboard in terms of combined goals and assists in the Championship, with a total of 28.
While Newcastle United’s current strikers, Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson, have been performing well in terms of goal-scoring under manager Eddie Howe, their tally of 11 and eight goals, respectively, falls short of Armstrong’s 17 goals. It’s important to note that Armstrong’s achievements have come in a higher-quality division, further highlighting his remarkable performance this season.
As of now, Callum Wilson, aged 32, is currently playing for Newcastle United. However, he has been struggling with injuries, which has impacted his playing time and performance on the field. Given his age and injury concerns, the decision to part ways with Adam Armstrong at a young age might be regrettable for the club.
On the other hand, Armstrong, now 27 years old, is entering the prime years of his career and is currently in the best form of his life. His impressive contributions at Southampton have not gone unnoticed, and it is highly likely that he will be playing Premier League football again next season, regardless of whether Southampton secures an immediate return to the top flight after their relegation last season.
Armstrong’s performances have garnered attention and his form suggests that he is ready to make a significant impact in the Premier League once again.
