Plays second half Ritchie came off the bench for the final 38 minutes of Tuesday's 1-1 (4-2p) loss to Chelsea.Impact Ritchie was brought off the bench for a rare appearance to give Anthony Gordon a breather. In the end Ritchie showed why he has largely fallen out of favor, he simply isn't a difference-maker. Ritchie will continue to be a depth option playing extremely limited bench minutes. DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE Plays against Villa Ritchie (knee) played in the second half of Sunday's friendly versus Aston Villa.Impact Ritchie logged just seven matches (zero starts) last season, in part due to injury. Without a clear path to the starting XI, Ritchie will be hard-pressed to offer much in the way of fantasy production this season and figures to remain a fringe squad member. JULY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE Traveling in pre-season tour Ritchie (knee) is in the traveling squad for Newcastle's Summer Series tour of the United States.Impact Ritchie suffered a knee injury to close out the Premier League but is straight back in the pre-season squad. He was majorly hampered by injuries in the 2022-23 Premier League, but had his contract option triggered to continue to provide a depth option. JULY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE Returning for another season Ritchie's contract option for 2023/24 has been triggered by Newcastle United, the club announced Wednesday.Impact Ritchie was severely hampered by multiple injuries this season and was only able to feature seven times (all off the bench) in the Premier League this season. The 33-year-old winger hasn't reached 1,400 minutes of league action in a single campaign since 2018/19, but he'll be coming back for next season with Newcastle. JUNE 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE Picks up knee injury Ritchie suffered a knee injury in training and will miss the rest of the season, according to manager Eddie Howe.Impact Ritchie has been relegated to a bit role this season and has made just seven league appearances for 35 minutes. Once an option at left-back, he's far down the depth chart for every position he can be considered for and appears on his way out, as his future at the club is unlikely to change. Soon to be 34 years old, his time in the Premier League may be over. MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE Unused in cup Ritchie went as an unused substitute during Tuesday's 1-0 Carabao Cup win over Bournemouth.Impact Ritchie didn't see any playing time off the bench, but he did make the bench a good sign as he recovers from a calf issue. The defender will be a limited depth option throughout the second half of the Premier League. DECEMBER 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Available off bench Ritchie (calf) is on the bench for Tuesday's Carabao Cup clash with Bournemouth.Impact Richie suffered a calf injury before the World Cup break but is now back on the bench. The defender made just one Premier League appearance in the first half of the season and will likely remain a rotational option when the league resumes. DECEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Out with calf injury Ritchie will miss an extended period with a calf injury, according to manager Eddie Howe. "We don't know whether he'll be back for the World Cup break, but he's doing well."Impact Ritchie is an afterthought in the lineup and injuries aren't going to help playing time in the second half of the season. He'll hope to recover fully over the World Cup break, but at this point, there isn't much of a spot in the squad for him, having just played one minute in league play this season. OCTOBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Plays one minute in finale Ritchie played one minute and made one interception in Sunday's 2-1 win at Burnley.Impact Ritchie came off the bench again, but could not do much during his very limited time in the field. The midfielder was a starter for their first 13 games in the season, but then got injured and never claimed back his spot. He finished the campaign with two assists from 28 chances created, 104 crosses, 22 tackles and 23 clearances in 18 appearances (14 starts). MAY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Features off bench Ritchie subbed into Saturday's match against Norwich City in the 74th minute and he played the final quarter of an hour his side's 3-0 victory.Impact Ritchie made his first Premier League appearance since December against Norwich on Saturday after recovering from a long-term knee injury. The 32-year-old has been replaced in the first-choice lineup at left back by Matt Targett, and he'll struggle to win back his position in the team. APRIL 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Back in training Ritchie (knee) returned to team training ahead of Thursday's match against Southampton, according to manager Eddie Howe.Impact Ritchie could be an option as soon as Thursday, but that doesn't mean much for Newcastle. The left-back who started the first 13 matches of the season will likely move into a bench role now that Matt Targett has taken the job and played extremely well given Newcastle's recent run of results. MARCH 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Begins running Ritchie (knee) has started running and could rejoin first-team training soon, according to manager Eddie Howe.Impact Even with Ritchie taking the next step in his recovery, fantasy players should probably expect him to remain out of the squad until March. Even once cleared to play, Ritchie could struggle to break into the starting XI after the team acquired Matt Targett from Aston Villa during the January transfer window. FEBRUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Out longer term Ritchie (knee) is considered out for the "longer term," according to manager Eddie Howe.Impact This update is a bit of a change for Ritchie, who was considered a doubt for the team's last match before the break. Things clearly haven't gotten better and it's looking more like he won't be an option until March, at at the earliest. It's also been made clear why they added Matt Targett in the transfer window. FEBRUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Dealing with knee problem Ritchie is dealing with a knee problem and is a doubt for Saturday's trip to Leeds, according to manager Eddie Howe.Impact Ritchie hasn't been used the last two weeks and it wouldn't be surprising if he didn't see the pitch again Saturday. Paul Dummett made a surprise return to the XI against Watford and could again be in the XI at Leeds, depending on how Howe feels about Ritchie. JANUARY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Starts Cup match Ritchie (undisclosed) started and went 78 minutes in Saturday's FA Cup loss against Cambridge United.Impact Ritchie returned to the team Saturday after missing the Dec. 27 match, possibly with COVID-19. He seems to be the No. 1 left-back for Newcastle, but that could change if they add someone else. He's started just one of the last six league matches for a variety of reasons. JANUARY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE Misses match Monday Ritchie wasn't in the squad for Monday's match against Manchester United because of an undisclosed reason.Impact Ritchie was a surprise absence last match and it now appears there's a COVID-19 outbreak within the squad, postponing their match Thursday. The defender will be considered a doubt for the Jan. 2 contest with Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo the options at full-back. DECEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE Eligible versus Burnley Ritchie is in contention against Burnley on Saturday after serving his one-game suspension.Impact Considering Ritchie started all 13 matches for the club prior to his ban, in which he garnered two assists, nine shots (zero on target), 96 crosses (27 accurate) and 47 corners, he should immediately take back his spot on the pitch. Given his role on freekicks, Ritchie figures to offer elite-level fantasy value moving forward. DECEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE Receives yellow card Ritchie received one yellow card during a 2-0 loss Saturday against Arsenal.Impact Ritchie received his fifth yellow card of the 2021-22 Premier League. The booking is unfortunate, because it will force him to sit out a relatively easy matchup Tuesday versus Norwich City. NOVEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE Sets up goal Saturday Ritchie set up a goal in Saturday's draw against Brentford.Impact Ritchie usually delivers a creative spark for Newcastle and such was the case in this game, as he set up Jamaal Lascelles' goal with a perfect cross from a corner kick. This was Ritchie's second assist of the campaign, something he hadn't accomplished since the season opener. NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE Delivers five crosses in draw Ritchie took one shot off target, created one chance, delivered five crosses, won two tackles and drew two fouls in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Brighton & Hove Albion.Impact Ritchie was not able to find the back of the net but he still managed to rack up offensive stats due to his role on set pieces. The fullback has now collected two shots, three chances created and 19 crosses in his last three appearances. NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE Three crosses in loss Ritchie sent in three crosses (two accurate) during Saturday's 3-0 loss to Chelsea.Impact Ritchie sent in three crosses and actually created a chance during Saturday's loss, but that is about it. The defender will look to bounce back after what is the hardest match on the calendar. His next run out will be a Saturday trip to the south coast against Brighton. OCTOBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE Attempts seven corner kicks Ritchie attempted seven corner kicks during a 1-1 draw Saturday against Crystal Palace.Impact Ritchie recorded more corner-kick attempts Saturday than he did during any of his previous 25 Premier League appearances. He attempted 38 corner kicks across Newcastle United's last nine games. OCTOBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE Whips in six crosses Ritchie crossed six times (one accurate) and created a chance during Sunday's 3-2 loss to Tottenham.Impact Ritchie was a part of the Newcastle back four that allowed three goals to Spurs on Sunday. The left back finished with the second highest amount of chances created on the team while his six crosses led Newcastle in the loss. OCTOBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE Creates team-high four chances Ritchie created four chances during Saturday's 2-1 loss to Wolves.Impact Ritchie is perhaps the safest option in the Newcastle team for fantasy purposes. His duty on set-pieces and ability to create chances at will tend to leave him with multiple chances created. He has created at least one chance in each of the seven Premier League games he has played this season. Next up is a clash with Tottenham after the break. OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE Creates three chances in draw Ritchie took two shots and created three chances in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Watford. He also made three interceptions and a clearance in the match.Impact Ritchie was heavily involved in the attack from his left back position on Saturday, and he helped his side earn a point against Watford. He will hope to be similarly solid on defense next weekend against Wolves, which have scored just two goals in five Premier League matches this season. SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
