Not trusted, taxi called, best in the league - Newcastle United's 4 winners and 3 losers so far

Eight points from five games. Not a bad start at all for Matthias Jaissle and his new-look Newcastle United side as they head into the first international break of the autumn.

Let's be honest, no one really knew what to expect when the Magpies embarked on a new transfer strategy that saw them target young, upcoming talent across Europe. Coupled with the bombshell that Eddie Howe was stepping down as manager, after five years in charge, and the loss of captain Bruno Guimaraes on top of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, and it was another seismic summer at St James' Park.

In case eight players all aged under 24, only one - Nico Gonzalez - with Premier League experience. There was undoubtedly an eye on the future but in doing so, you can't neglect the here and now. Newcastle needed to make a solid start to the season and have done so.

A new manager and a new approach will always see some players prosper more than others. We take a look at who the winners and losers are so far from United's first month of the campaign.

No player in the Newcastle squad has enjoyed more of a renaissance than Willock. His bags were packed, the taxi had just pulled up outside and he looked set to depart Newcastle for good, only for Jaissle to hand him a fresh start.

The midfielder has responded in style, emerging as a key man in the German's system. Jaissle likes his No 10 to be able to run beyond the striker and carry the ball, and Willock has done that. He's got three goals already this term, including one from a deeper position against Hull City, and there has been talk of a new contract being offered.

Joe Willock has scored three times(Image: Getty Images)

Livramento just can't catch a break. Having been sent home from the World Cup before a ball was kicked, due to a calf injury that required surgery, he completed his rehab in time to make substitute appearances against Millwall and Leeds United. Then, set to start at the weekend against Hull, he was withdrawn on the eve of the game after suffering another injury in training.

The defender waits the results from an MRI scan but has again pulled out of England duty. With Amar Dedic's impressive start to life on Tyneside, Livramento now faces a fight for his Newcastle future.

Is this the same Yoane Wissa from last season? The striker suffered a nightmare first year on Tyneside, after getting injured just days after his arrival and then never really getting up to speed, fitness and form after coming back into the side.

Twelve months on and Wissa has not only been entrusted with leading the line, but has also been named in Newcastle's leadership group. He has captained the side and is one of Jaissle's lieutenants.

One goal so far is scant reward for his performances and effort and he needs to improve in front of goal but it's been a promising start to the season.

One of the most obvious winners. The left-back looks re-energised, has put his World Cup heartache and the summer transfer speculation behind him and is looking like the best left-back in the Premier League. His call-up by Thomas Tuchel is just reward for his performances and being tied down to a new contract is a big boost for the Magpies.

What Hall appears to have done this season is add an extra end product to his game. He should be getting more goals and assists and his strike against Hull was the first, hopefully, of many.

Pope has remained at Newcastle but has gone from No 1 to third choice after the arrivals of Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen. It looks very likely that he has kicked his last ball for the club. Even when Jaouen was injured, Jaissle decided to play Hornicek in the Carabao Cup tie against Millwall rather than Pope.

A tough one. The summer signing from Monaco was a calculated risk by Newcastle's recruitment team in the summer, with the midfielder having only made 12 starts in total for the French club. That's not a big bank of data or games to look at, but the scouts obviously saw something in Bamba who ranked in the top five for duels won, tackles and aerial duels won among Ligue 1 midfielders who played more than 500 minutes.

He is still very raw and inexperienced, and Jaissle has clearly not seen enough in training that he likes. The 20-year-old has only played 27 minutes in the Premier League this season. He needs to keep developing and working hard to turn himself into a player his manager trusts.

Aladji Bamba is yet to start a game(Image: 2026 Newcastle United)

Arguably the standout summer signing so far. Has anyone double-checked his birth certificate? He looks like an 18-year-old but plays like a veteran.

Still needs to improve his physicality and will make mistakes on the pitch with his desire to get on the ball in tricky areas, like we saw against Leeds, but his maturity, calmness, bravery and genuine quality marks him out as a potential superstar. If he continues to develop and improve, the £23m spent will look like the bargain of the summer.