Newcastle United have retained a strong core of local lads since the change of ownership, despite the influx of mega money signings.
While the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak are incredibly influential, there are still roles for the likes of Paul Dummett.
The 31-year-old is a one-club man, rising through the ranks back when Alan Pardew was calling the shots at St James’ Park.
Dummett is now a seasoned veteran on Tyneside, and is one of the squad’s most senior players. But despite his status, he rarely features under Eddie Howe.
Since Howe replaced Steve Bruce, Dummett has started just three games in total for the Magpies. He only made one appearance last season, and that came in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
With limited minutes and talk of a new left-back arriving, it felt like Dummett would leave the club this summer when his contract expired.
However, that did not happen. Instead, he signed an extension to keep him at St James’ Park for another year. Now he has discussed his reasoning for extending his stay.
Dummett has spoke to the Chronicle about his new contract, and explained why he is staying at St James’ Park.
“I am a Newcastle fan, Newcastle born,” he said.
“I have been here a lot of years. And a lot of people may have questioned why I’d want to stay if I hadn’t had many minutes. But at the end of the day, I am a fan, and the club is going in the right direction.
“We’ve got the Champions League and for me to experience that as a fan and now possibly play in it…that’s just in my dreams to play for Newcastle in it. There’s going to be more games and more opportunities for me to play.
“I need to be ready and fully fit and if I am fully fit and get the chance hopefully I can take it.”
When you look at it like that, of course Dummett would want to stay. He is living the dream of every Newcastle fan right now, and things are about to get even more surreal for the Geordie boy.
He could get the chance to represent the Magpies in the Champions League, which he says is his dream.
Hopefully he does get the chance to feature in the competition this season, because you never know when the opportunity might come around again. We might not qualify next season, while Dummett might not be here.
But he is here now, and is staying put for another year. His focus is staying fit, as he has been plagued by injury problems in recent years.
Fingers crossed they are behind him and he gets the chance he is hoping for.
