Newcastle United’s arsenal of players on the substitute’s bench during their defeat to Chelsea was worth around £142million.
They suffered their sixth Premier League defeat of the season, as Thomas Tuchel’s clinical Chelsea side swept the Magpies aside in a second half blitz.
Despite surviving the first 45 minutes without conceding a goal, Newcastle struggled to lay a glove on the reigning Champions League holders in the whole contest.
The St James’ Park side only recorded one shot on target against the Blues and finished the match with only 20 per cent possession.
It has been a painful start to the season for Newcastle, and to make matters even worse, they even had £142m worth of talent on the bench against Chelsea.
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Their two record signings Joelinton and Joe Willock were both on the bench, while Miguel XI.
£15m defender Jamal Lewis was also an unused substitute, as current interim manager Graeme Jones chose to deploy five players who were previously in the Championship ahead of some big money arrivals.
Their record signing Joelinton, who was signed from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for £40m in 2019, also did not see a minute of game-time.
While the Brazilian forward was arguably a statement of intent from the Magpies, his return of six goals and five assists in 78 Premier League appearances has been a huge disappointment.
Meanwhile, Willock’s absence from the starting eleven is another factor which sums up Newcastle’s frustrating transfer business in recent seasons.
The 21-year-old Englishman was the only player to arrive at St James’ Park in the summer.
His arrival was initially unquestionable after he enjoyed an excellent loan spell with the club in the last campaign.
Willock was signed on loan from Arsenal in the January transfer window last year, and after a slow start, he found his feet on the Toon in sensational fashion.
He concluded the season by scoring in seven consecutive matches for the Magpies, including notable goals against Liverpool, Leicester City, and West Ham United.
Steve Bruce’s decision to make his loan move permanent in the summer looked to be a good move, but the midfielder is yet to register a single goal involvement this season.
And with Newcastle’s fortunes yet to turn around since the club relieved Bruce of his services, many supporters have become concerned.
They are currently floundering in 19 th place and are one of two clubs who are yet to register a single Premier League win this season.
It is a league position which looks to have dissipated any excitement from their takeover in October.
A consortium spearheaded by the Saudi Arabia Public Invest Fund (PIF) and the Reuben Brothers ended their ownership under Mike Ashley, while also making them the wealthiest side in the Premier League.
However, their thorough search for a new manager does not appear to be showing any signs of ending anytime soon.
Current Belgium manager and former Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez is the current favourite, while Unai Emery and Paulo Fonseca have also been mentioned.
