This time last year, Harvey Barnes was a somewhat apprehensive father-to-be, immersed in the search for a new home in the north-east, constantly browsing Rightmove.
Fast forward a year, and the Newcastle winger and his partner are now the proud parents of a nearly one-year-old daughter, Harper, and have finally settled into their new home – yet there is still something lacking.
Barnes is eager to secure his place among Eddie Howe’s starting lineup and is determined to make up for the time he lost during a frustrating first season at St James’ Park, following his £38m transfer from Leicester.
“When you join a new club, you always want to make a strong impression, so naturally, the start I had was not what I was hoping for,” recalls the 26-year-old, referring to the 11th minute of Newcastle’s 8-0 victory at Sheffield United last September when he sustained a ligament injury beneath a toe, sidelining him until February.
Just a month earlier, he had debuted brilliantly by assisting one goal and netting another in a 5-1 home victory against Aston Villa, but then everything turned upside down in the most unexpected way.
“It was a peculiar injury,” he explains, relaxing in his chair at Newcastle’s pre-season training camp in Bavaria. “Specialists had different opinions. About 12 weeks post-injury, some doctors suggested surgery, while others disagreed. That ambiguity can be quite difficult.
“As a player, you crave certainty; ideally, you want straightforward solutions. But this was not a clear-cut case. It’s frustrating to not know how long the recovery will be.”
In the end, no surgery was necessary, and Barnes returned just in time to score a crucial late equalizer in a thrilling 4-4 draw at home against Luton in February. “Being injured was a challenge,” Barnes reflects, having also faced a hamstring issue that limited his playtime. He made a strong comeback by scoring twice in a 4-3 victory against West Ham in March. “We had welcomed Harper just a week before the toe injury, so there was a lot happening during that time.
“There were many ups and downs during that time. With long-term injuries come countless hours of rehab, and you return home unable to disconnect from it. You’re still dealing with treatment protocols and recovery.
“In some respects, focusing on our daughter was beneficial, yet it also posed challenges. It was quite a tumultuous beginning.”
The warm sunshine in southern Germany, accompanied by delightful heat, offers a promising outlook. “I feel much more settled this year,” he shares, noting that his goals against West Ham felt like the moment he truly “arrived” in Tyneside. “My daughter is now a year old, we’ve established ourselves in the home we’ve purchased; all the challenges have turned into a sense of stability.
“It has provided me with a new perspective on the hurdles players face when moving from abroad. While I had been on loan assignments before, nothing compared to the significant transition to Newcastle.”
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At least Howe shows compassion. “He’s quite supportive in helping you adjust,” Barnes says. “He truly understands the challenges players encounter during club transfers.
“He gains insights into each player’s family situation and provides help where needed. He didn’t assist me in furnishing the house, but when we first welcomed Harper, he had meaningful conversations with me about fatherhood and the various challenges I’d face as a parent. He has been through it; he understands.”
Previously, Howe has gifted books about parenthood to other new fathers in his squad, but not Barnes. “He didn’t do that for me,” Barnes remarks, chuckling. “However, his door is always open. He’s always available for a chat if needed. These discussions are crucial; they matter. Despite how footballers are perceived from the outside, we are all human and share the same feelings as anyone else.”
However, Howe’s tactical approach presents a different challenge. “There are many facets to learn here,” Barnes acknowledges, aware that his fellow winger Anthony Gordon has admitted it took him six months to fully grasp Howe’s tactical system. “There are expectations to meet regarding the strategic aspects of the game. You need to acclimate to our playing style.”
While Barnes would be thrilled to add to his sole England cap earned during a friendly against Wales in 2020, he is aware that the option to switch allegiances remains open. “I’m still eligible to play for Scotland,” he mentions. “There have been a couple of discussions, but nothing extensive.”
Yet, the prospect of an international tug-of-war is a concern for another day. “My primary focus is on getting back to playing for Newcastle,” he states. “After a solid pre-season, I feel ready and up to pace.”
