GEREMI EXCLUSIVE: Kieran Trippier is a great signing for my old team Newcastle but they need to sign fighters if they are to stay up this season... experience is key and Eddie Howe MUST gel his team together to keep them in the Premier League
- Newcastle United are at the beginning of an exciting era under new owners
- However, there is no escaping that they are in a dire situation in the league
- Eddie Howe needs to recruit the right players and they must gel immediately
- Kieran Trippier is a top signing as he has a fighter's mindset from Diego Simeone
- Cameroon's Geremi was speaking to MailOnline on behalf of Genting Casino
- READ: Geremi on his anger at Klopp and why AFCON will be safe for players
With AFCON now just days away and some of the world's biggest names touching down in Cameroon for the tournament, excitement is building.
The likes of Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane are all set to light up the tournament, with Senegal the current favourites to lift the trophy in February.
Sportsmail has recruited Cameroon, Chelsea and Newcastle legend Geremi as our AFCON expert, and here he gives his thoughts on the exciting new era at St James' Park, Kieran Trippier's impending arrival and what the clubs needs to stay up.
Newcastle supporters must be on cloud nine after their mega-money takeover earlier this season. Every club would love to be in a position of financial strength and that is now the reality at St James' Park.
There can be no denying, though, that the Toon are not in a good position in the Premier League table.
They have won just one game and it is all well and good having lots of money but they will not be able to push on if they are playing in the Championship next season.
![Newcastle United supporters must be on cloud nine following their change of ownership](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/06/14/52617003-10375349-image-a-35_1641478740924.jpg)
Newcastle United supporters must be on cloud nine following their change of ownership
![Earlier this season, the Magpies were taken over by a wealthy, Saudi-backed consortium](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/05/13/52573981-0-image-a-14_1641390475613.jpg)
Earlier this season, the Magpies were taken over by a wealthy, Saudi-backed consortium
![Kieran Trippier has become the first signing under the club's new Saudi ownership](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/07/09/52650465-10375349-image-a-11_1641547754476.jpg)
Kieran Trippier has become the first signing under the club's new Saudi ownership
The goal is to avoid the drop and now that they have the financial muscle to bring in big players, I hope they can recruit the characters needed because the immediate objective is survival.
Kieran Trippier is exactly the sort of player that Newcastle need to climb the table. The England star has played under Diego Simeone so has a fighter's mentality, and he also has experience of battling the drop with Burnley.
I believe he will be a good signing but we will have to wait and see. Sometimes, an arrival can look good on paper but they may take time to settle.
Trippier is the club's first signing under the new ownership and I have first-hand experience of what it is like to be part of a team at the dawn of an exciting new era.
![However, they are in a dire predicament on the pitch and are battling against relegation](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/06/14/52617009-10375349-image-m-37_1641478796050.jpg)
However, they are in a dire predicament on the pitch and are battling against relegation
![They need fighters and Trippier is exactly the sort of player they need to stay up this season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/06/14/52606123-10375349-image-a-39_1641478818033.jpg)
They need fighters and Trippier is exactly the sort of player they need to stay up this season
I joined Chelsea the same summer that the club was taken over by Roman Abramovich in 2003, and in my view, you have to be very cautious when recruiting new players.
When you bring in a lot of players, it is important that you are able to get them to gel together, as the threat of relegation is approaching.
If I was in charge at Newcastle, I would look to bring in players who have that experience of being in battles. I am not saying they should not buy young talents with potential, but right now they need players ready to make an impact.
Once they secure survival, they can turn their attention to bringing in players who will help them achieve their next goal of challenging England's top sides, but right now it's all about securing their Premier League status.
![Manager Eddie Howe must now ensure that his new signings gel together in quick time](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/06/14/52606109-10375349-image-a-40_1641478831778.jpg)
Manager Eddie Howe must now ensure that his new signings gel together in quick time
![Sportsmail's AFCON expert Geremi gives us the lowdown on what to expect at the tournament](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/01/06/13/52615239-10375099-image-m-34_1641474958441.jpg)
Sportsmail's AFCON expert Geremi gives us the lowdown on what to expect at the tournament
Genting Casino is a premium online casino - 18+ BeGambleAware
Most watched Sport videos
- Moment LeBron learns he will be Team USA's Olympic flagbearer
- Lionel Messi relaxes as he continues to recover from injury
- Fans brawl in the stands at the Los Angeles Dodgers game
- Trump mocks Biden golf skills after hitting two incredible shots
- Young San Francisco basketball player stomps on opponent's head
- Chris Wheeler visits Minnesota and ex-Man United coach Eric Ramsay
- Aussie Olympians show off the freebies they received in Paris
- Reece Walsh and Joseph Sua'ali'i hug after State of Origin
- Steph Curry nominates LeBron James to be the Team USA flagbearer
- Funny moment Matildas stars being unimpressed with Olympic gear
- Sir Mark Cavendish: 'I'm pretty sure this is my last Tour de France'
- Andy Murray has announced retirement from tennis