Newcastle United have had a taste of the Champions League, and now they want more.
The Magpies were dumped out of the competition on Wednesday night, losing 2-1 to AC Milan to finish bottom of their group and exit Europe completely.
Europa League would have been a great consolation prize if Newcastle had got a draw, but they went for the jugular and streamed forwards for a winner. It was ultimately Newcastle’s undoing, but their ambition should not be criticised.
But now Eddie Howe’s side are out, and will be eager to get back as soon as possible. That is going to be extremely difficult, especially with the Premier League suddenly less likely to get a fifth spot in the competition next season when the new format begins.
Newcastle United did incredibly well just to reach the Champions League, and they certainly did well in it considering the circumstances. They couldn’t have asked for a harder group, yet they were so close to qualifying.
When the new owners arrived, they made it clear that they wanted Newcastle United to become Champions League regulars. They will not have expected them to qualify as soon as they did, but they will now be working to ensure it is not just a one off.
That is easier said than done, and now Alan Shearer has stated what the club must do to get to the next level.
Alan Shearer believes Newcastle need ‘better players’ to be Champions League regulars
Alan Shearer spoke about what Newcastle must do to get back in the Champions League on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast.
“Ultimately they are going to need better players but it has just happened so quickly for Newcastle,” he said.
“I mean nobody expected them to get into the top four and because of that there has to be a bit of realism.
“I’m not suggesting there isn’t from Newcastle fans, because I think there is and there will be and there will be patience because they are way, way ahead of schedule. I just hope they are not victims of their own success because it’s happened so quickly.
“There is no way that two years ago you would have said that Newcastle would be playing PSG, AC Milan and all these games in the Champions League. You would have said no way, it’s far too quick. But it’s happened and they are way ahead of schedule but to get to that next level you are going to need better players.”
Newcastle squad must get even better to get to that level
It is a simple solution, but Newcastle will need a higher calibre of players to consistently qualify for and do well in the Champions League. It is an elite competition, as we have witnessed.
We certainly did not disgrace ourselves in it, but there were times that you could see some of our players were a level below where they needed to be. There is no shame in that, and they deserved the opportunity to test themselves in Europe after working so hard to get there.
But if the Newcastle owners want the club to consistently be in the Champions League and eventually do well in the competition then the squad will need to get even better.
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