Jacob Murphy continued a fantastic rise from out of form under Rafa to a key cog in Eddie Howe’s mags. But what has been behind this remarkable rise for Murphy and how much further can he continue this rise for?

Murphy joined Newcastle in 2017 from Norwich for an undisclosed fee. In his first season, the boyhood Newcastle fan played 25 games in the Premier league, scoring one and assisting one. He then spent the first half on the next season with the club, making a further nine appearances, assisting just once in 301 minutes before being sent out on loan in January to West Brom. Murphy added 13 championship appearances scoring twice and assisting once before returning to Newcastle.

He then joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the 2019/20 season; the season disrupted by COVID19. Murphy played 44 games, scoring nine and assisting six before returning to Steve Bruce’s side. On his return to Newcastle Murphy played 26 games, scoring two, assisting three and getting a new best five combined goals and assists for Newcastle.

The next season saw Murphy play more after Bruce was sacked by the new administration and replaced by Eddie Howe. Murphy played 33 Premier League games, scoring once and assisting twice before the season that reinvented Jacob Murphy in Newcastle fans minds.

Looking at his goal and assist tallies, Murphy didn’t have the most spectacular return but if you dig a bit deeper into the statistics you can spot Murphy’s contribution towards Eddie Howe’s side. 15 successful tackles (58%), 286 passes (73%), 10 shots on target (34%) all from the right wing show very impressive statistics and his link up play with players such as Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson being commended.

And this season it’s very much continued. There’s only really one game to necessarily look at from this season and that’s the most recent fixture; the 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace where Murphy scored an unbelievable volleyed chip over the keeper, before he played a world class cross to Anthony Gordon for his first assist; and then a quick counter-attack followed by Murphy’s curved through ball to Wilson for the teams fourth and Murphy’s third goal contribution in the match.

All in all, Murphy playing as a right winger and in particular playing as a backup to Miguel Almiron and rotating round with Miggy has helped his confidence floiurish as he comes into the team both off the bench and every other game, taking off the pressure of being the main starter and instead flourishing as a rotational player under the guidance of Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall.