Champions Travel

How far can Newcastle United go this season?

Heavy financial investment often rocks the footballing fraternity but very few takeovers can compare with the international scrutiny the Saudi Arabian investment at Newcastle United generated in 2021.

One of the great footballing institutions in England and beyond, Newcastle United had endured a baron spell in the doldrums in the 2000s, with the Toon dropping down into the Championship on two separate occasions.

Having bounced back under the likes of Chris Hughton and Rafa Benitez, Newcastle looked to have accepted a life of relative mediocrity in the Premier League – battling away for survival under the stewardship of famously frugal chairman Mike Ashley.

The narrative around the club however changed overnight in September 2021, as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund decided to pump over £300 million into the coffers at Newcastle and in the space of just over 12 months, the mood around St James’s Park has transformed.

Eddie Howe was brought in to replace Steve Bruce as manager and with significant financial investment in the playing staff, Newcastle United are a side undoubtedly going places.

How far Newcastle can go this season remains to be seen and ascertaining whether they have the staying power to keep pace with the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal will be revealed in their upcoming fixtures.

However, with over a third of the Premier League season complete, Newcastle find themselves sitting comfortably in the top 4 of the table – above the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Here are some potential factors that could be crucial in Newcastle’s bid for success this season.

Wilson’s World Cup Dream

Harry Kane and Ivan Toney are the only English players to have scored more Premier League goals than Callum Wilson this season and on current showings, he looks set to be travelling to the World Cup with Gareth Southgate’s England team.

The former Bournemouth striker has enjoyed some of his best years under Eddie Howe and the partnership looks to be rekindling success once again this season.

Six goals in just 9 Premier League appearances are a testament to how good Wilson has been this season and the side will need him to keep firing after the World Cup in Qatar, if they are to sustain their European football bid this season.

Samba Football

Whilst the likes of Callum Wilson have rightfully earned plaudits this season, Brazilian duo, Joelinton and Bruno Guimares, in the middle of the park for Newcastle has had a huge impact.

The combative nature of both players, coupled with the ability to get forward and join attacks, has given the Magpies a whole new dimension and it is one most sides have struggled to deal with.

Awesome Almiron

Very few players epitomise the transformation Newcastle have undertaken over the past 12 months more succinctly than Miguel Almiron.

Whilst clearly a very talented footballer, Almiron had managed only 8 goals in his 109 Premier League appearances prior to this season and his relative lack of end product saw many fans expecting him to leave the club this summer.

Eddie Howe however never gave up hope on the Paraguayan and how he has restored his faith.

Almiron has scored an incredible 7 goals in 13 league appearances this term and his impact at St James’s Park continues to grow with each passing fixture.



Keeping it tight

Whilst it is not a trait Eddie Howe and his teams are known for, Newcastle United currently have the very best defence in the Premier League.

Having conceded only 10 goals in their opening 13 games played, Newcastle have had a very frugal look to them this term and when considering 3 of those goals were conceded against Manchester City – it only brings the Toon’s defensive record into a more impressive focus.

Signing England goalkeeper Nick Pope in the summer from Burnley has proved a masterstroke by Howe, with his Premier League record second to none in recent years.

In defence, fellow England international Kieran Trippier has added creativity and steel in equal measure, whilst Sven Botman and Dan Burn have developed a strong partnership in central defence – making the Magpies very hard to beat.

Whether or not Newcastle United can keep pace with the rest of the traditional big six this season remains to be seen but with significant financial investment across the whole club, it would appear that Newcastle United are very much here to stay at the top table of English football.

Have a look at Champions Travels official Newcastle United packages HERE.

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