Since being taken over by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, Newcastle United has been open about its ambition to become one of the major players in the Premier League.
Newcastle has not been a major club in England for many years, since Alan Shearer’s retirement. However, in the past three years, they have made significant strides to challenge for a top 4 position in the Premier League.
The breakthrough came in the 2022/23 season, when they finished 4th in the Premier League and secured a spot in the Champions League for the previous season. Despite facing Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan in the “Group of Death,” Newcastle made a strong impression.
Back in the Premier League, Eddie Howe’s team finished 7th. The main reasons were a lack of squad depth, Sandro Tonali’s suspension, and several injuries. However, they ended the season with 60 points, just 8 points behind 4th-place Aston Villa.
This shows that with more focus in a few key matches, Newcastle could strongly contend for a Champions League spot next season. Indeed, under Eddie Howe, they have made an impressive start to the current season.
In their opening match against Southampton, Newcastle secured a narrow 1-0 victory. They performed better in their game against Bournemouth, managing a draw after trailing. Their resilience is noteworthy.
Last weekend, against Tottenham Hotspur, another strong contender for the top 4, Newcastle demonstrated their effectiveness with a well-organized game plan. Statistics showed Newcastle had just 34% possession and 9 shots compared to Tottenham’s 20. Nonetheless, they secured a 2-1 victory.
Without Dan Burn’s own goal, Newcastle’s win could have been even more complete, thanks to goals from Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak. However, the 2-1 scoreline was enough to please the home fans.
Currently, Eddie Howe’s squad has 7 points from 3 matches and is 5th in the standings. This is a solid start for St. James’ Park as they aim for a Champions League spot.
Another advantage for Newcastle is having a fully fit squad moving forward. Sandro Tonali has returned from suspension and is like a new signing for the team, while Eddie Howe has committed his future to the club despite interest from the FA.
These factors suggest that Newcastle has the potential to repeat their 2022/23 success, and no top 4 rival in the Premier League should underestimate them.
