- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Opinion
In today’s game, there’s no denying that money and wealth are completely dominating the football landscape, from billionaire takeovers to unbelievably astronomical transfer fees that have never been seen before.
The two biggest examples have always been the takeovers of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, where Sheiks have invested their funds into the club which has increased exposure as well as being able to attract the very best players on the planet.
Despite both sides winning multiple domestic trophies, City and PSG have failed to hold aloft the prestigious UEFA Champions League after over a decade of transfers worth over 1 billion for each club respectively.
This huge disappointment points towards evidence that money is not the be-all and end-all in football. Yes, financial power is an advantage to possess, but it sure doesn’t guarantee a united dressing room and a cohesive team on the pitch. After all, there are a lot of egos to deal with for whoever is lucky (or unlucky) enough to manage.
(Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
A sleeping giant in the Premier League has seemed to have learned from some of those costly mistakes.
Newcastle United, founded in 1892 in northeast England, is one of the biggest clubs in the country. This may come as a surprise, especially for the younger generation, but the Magpies have a rich history spanning back to the early 1900s to the early 2000s when they qualified for the Champions League.
St.James’ Park arguably holds one of the most surreal atmospheres in English football, holding over 52,000 seats. When the team is clicking and results are going their way, the Geordies are as passionate as anyone and are all invested.
However, the past decade has been a living nightmare for every Newcastle supporter. Former owner Mike Ashley was continuously scrutinised by the fans for a lack of spending and investment, which would no doubt be frustrating considering he has a net worth of just under £5 billion.
On October 7, 2021, that nightmare soon turned into a dream as Newcastle was bought by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) for a reported £300 million. The new ownership has incredible financial resources, ultimately exciting fans for what the future would have in store.
Now, the club astonishingly sits in third place and is three points clear in the top-four race with a game in hand, while also finishing runners-up in the Carabao Cup final. So, how did one of the most incredible success stories of the season eventuate?
Newcastle player Kieran Trippier (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
As expected, rumours circulated throughout the transfer window periods about the possibility of signing superstars such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. No matter if you thought that was crazy or not, the fact that Newcastle was linked to those names proved that they’re back in business.
Instead, the new ownership took a more sensible approach as opposed to City and PSG by carefully managing their spending and scouting the right players who would be identified to fit a long-term project. It’s easy to just buy the best players, but the challenge is assembling a balanced squad.
Before that, the first big decision that the PIF needed to make was around the managerial appointment. Former Bournemouth coach Eddie Howe was the surprise pick for many, but the 45-year-old has demonstrated that he can get his teams to play attractive and free-flowing football.
Sometimes, possessing wealthy ownership can lead to poor decisions and the understandable temptation of signings big-name stars just because they are affordable. Under chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan along with the manager and the members behind the scenes, they opted to invest firstly in the defence through reasonable purchases.
Last year during the summer market, Nick Pope was signed between the sticks for Burnley for €11.5 million along with full-back Matt Target (€17.5 million) and 33-year-old Ciaran Clark (loan) for some nous and experience. The biggest name they secured in the backline though was Dutchman Sven Botman (€37 million) from French side Lille, providing Howe with incredible talent for his stature and height.
Overall the club has conceded the fewest amount of goals in the EPL, only shipping in 20 compared to Arsenal’s 27 and City’s 26. That only further emphasises the attention to detail in the defensive third, as particularly during the beginning of the campaign they were able to win by a goal or two while keeping a clean sheet.
Howe was criticised for his lack of focus on defending before his arrival, but he has proven those doubters wrong thus far.
Matty Longstaff (loan) and Bruno Guimarães (€40 million) were the two main additions to the middle of the park to accommodate the likes of Joelinton and Joe Willock.
Up front, the headline signing was no doubt Swedish striker Aleksander Isak for a club-record transfer fee of €70 million. Anthony Gordon (€45.6 million) was identified as another heavy investment for the long-term project to gel with the likes of Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin.
(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
When you watch Newcastle play, it’s clear that they have an identity from back to front and play some entertaining football that’s applied with pressure and intensity, with the best example coming earlier in the season against Manchester City when the Magpies incredibly flew out of the blocks for a 3-1 lead.
What’s most impressive is how versatile Newcastle have become, knowing how to play gritty and defend a lead while also having the capability to build up and play and exploit their pace on the counter-attack.
Make no mistake, this is a genuine team who are united and willing to work and sweat for one another. That wouldn’t be the case had the new owners decided to spend a fortune early on.
Hopefully, for Newcastle’s sake, consistent Champions League qualifications can lead to attracting higher profile names and increase their brand. Right now, they’re seriously dreaming of returning to the biggest club competition in world football, just where this massive club belongs.
The key now is not to get too carried away. Their transfer strategy couldn’t have worked out any better, and they need to remember that.
To have endless funds available and yet only use a small proportion of that and have the season their having is quite simply remarkable. Brighton & Hove Albion are also overachieving under Italian tactician Roberto De Zerbi, but their story is a little different due to not having a choice but to spend wisely in the market. Newcastle on the other hand, is blessed with options.
Gradually over time, Newcastle will be in a position to slowly spend the transfer fees like that of the big boys, but in the meantime, they are in a stable position. The word is out that Newcastle United is officially back. Their story is truly inspiring for others clubs to follow suit.
Patience is a virtue.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.