Alan Shearer believes Newcastle United need “three or four first team-players” to compete on multiple fronts next season.
Champions League qualification ensured financial reward for the Magpies after going without European competition this year. However, a seat alongside the continent’s elite also adds demands on the fixture list.
Newcastle struggled to cope with the balancing act two years ago as they faced an unprecedented injury pile-up. Eddie Howe’s men lost a record 1,950 days due to injury and narrowly missed out on Conference League despite finishing seventh.
Manchester United winning the FA Cup scuppered their European hopes but the Magpies still churned out a valiant effort. Fast forward to the present and Newcastle are keen not to make the same mistake twice.
Alan Shearer makes Newcastle United demand
Howe is not one for a squad bulging at its seems but even he recognises the need for reinforcements. Speaking to Betfair, Toon icon Shearer has called on the club;s hierarchy to back the manager.
“Newcastle have to go out, spend and bring in at least three or four first-team players that are not only going to challenge, but get into the first-team,” he said. “And if they do that, they won’t be far away next season. They’ll be challenging for trophies again next season.
“You’ve got to remember that Newcastle haven’t signed anyone of significance for three transfer windows now. That tells you that there has to be cash available and they have to provide Eddie Howe with the reinforcements he needs because, if you’re not learning from how the last Champions League campaign went, then what’s the point?”
Eddie Howe spoke to Yasir Al-Rumayyan
Howe revealed following the final game of the campaign that he would speak to PIF governor and Newcastle chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan imminently. “As far as I’m aware, we do not have any PSR issues heading into this deadline. Now, I have to put a caveat in there, because I’m not seeing the figures, I’m only relaying what I’m getting told. But I think we are in a lot healthier position and a lot stronger position than we were at this time last year.
“We are looking to reverse what we did last summer. This time, we are in a strong position ourselves where we’ll be looking to make additions to the squad. I will have a discussion with the chairman and representatives from PIF today, and I’m looking forward to that.
“We will be trying to lay some foundations for what lies ahead in the summer. In terms of timings and everything that follows that, I don’t know, but the planning and all the things that go on behind the scenes have been there for a number of weeks now. We have been working hard to try to set things up for what we need to do.
“I think whenever I speak to the chairman, he is very focused on success. He is focused on achieving and winning, and he always leaves me in doubt that that’s what he wants, I’m working towards that.”
