 Manager Rafa Benitez gave Ki his first start for Newcastle on 26 August against Chelsea and the following weekend against Man City, both resulting in 2-1 defeats.Benitez would then not select Ki for the next five games, invoking the player's "lack of mobility".He came on as a substitute to replace the injured Shelvey against Watford on 3 November and provided the game winning assist as his free kick was headed in by Ayoze Pérez to secure a 1–0 victory for Newcastle, their first league win of the season.