Expert independent analysis on Malick Thiaw and his Newcastle United contribution so far | OneFootball

Fair to say that Malick Thiaw wasn’t the most talked about Newcastle United signing of the summer.

The signings of Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga attracting the vast majority of the headlines.

Malick Thiaw then coming in between Jacob Ramsey and Aaron Ramsey in terms of hopes and expectations of fans.

Two months into the season and this has all changed.

Malick Thiaw has featured in seven of the ten United games so far, five starts and two sub appearances.

Newcastle United fans very much liking what they see.

Not loads to go on so far, still early days, but the Germany international looks a class act.

Always nice to get a second opinion though, especially from an independent source.

Some great analysis and stats from Karan Vinod, the BBC Sport journalist giving this expert opinion, concentrating on Malick Thiaw’s Premier League action so far.

This very much backing up what Newcastle United fans have seen with their own eyes…

5.6 Duels won

3.96 Aerial duels won

2.64 Interceptions

4.29 Possession won

16.48% Tackle success

2.31 Headed clearances

BBC Sport analysis on Malick Thiaw contribution at Newcastle United so far:

Newcastle United’s Malick Thiaw has made a positive first impression on Tyneside.

The 24-year-old summer signing has started three consecutive Premier League games and shown glimpses of why he was so highly rated during his time in Italy.

Across these three full appearances, Thiaw’s per-90-minute numbers provide an encouraging snapshot of his abilities, albeit given this is a small sample size, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions.

One of the most eye-catching statistics so far is his 2.64 interceptions per 90, which currently leads the Premier League. It points to a defender who reads the game exceptionally well, positioning himself proactively to break up play before danger materialises.

In addition, his 4.29 possessions won per 90 minutes suggests that Thiaw offers more than just last-ditch defending. This is potentially a player comfortable stepping into midfield to take control – a trait that aligns with his ability to also operate as a defensive midfielder – and something Eddie Howe values highly in his aggressive press.

The 3.96 aerial duels won figure reinforces his physical presence. In a league where aerial dominance remains a key defensive asset, this early number bodes well. Meanwhile, his overall duels won (5.6) reflects a willingness to engage directly with opponents.

The one area that may warrant attention is his tackle success rate of 16.5%. Whether this is due to adjusting to the pace of the Premier League or simply a result of a limited dataset is unclear. Defensive metrics can vary significantly over small periods and it’s worth bearing that in mind before making broader judgments.