Jacob Ramsey

Key strength: Work rate

Box-to-box midfielder

In a season threatening to spiral at St James' Park, Jacob Ramsey has emerged as Eddie Howe's most inspired piece of business. With Newcastle United languishing in 14th place after a patchy LWDWL sequence, the 25-year-old has been the Magpies' one constant—the heartbeat in a campaign of turbulence. The England international made the emotionally-charged decision to sever seventeen years at boyhood club Aston Villa, trading Birmingham comfort for a €40 million Tyneside gamble last summer. That leap of faith now looks shrewd: his market value has climbed to €45 million, rewarding Howe's conviction. Wearing the number 41 shirt, Ramsey has been ever-present with 40 appearances and 2,212 minutes of relentless box-to-box dynamism. While his modest return of 2 goals and 1 assist won't grab headlines, his true value lies in the unglamorous graft—the lung-busting surges that bridge Bruno Guimarães' creativity with Joelinton's grit. As the connective tissue between Newcastle's defensive and attacking thirds, Ramsey runs himself into the ground so others can shine. The Toon Army's season may have wobbled, but their boyish midfield engine keeps churning—one tireless, lung-scorching minute at a time.