Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer is now one of the leading English pundits in the game.
A regular on the legendary Match of the Day, it’s not only English football in which Newcastle United icon Shearer is well-versed.
Indeed, Newcastle’s all-time leading scorer is frequently seen on Champions League duty and will hopefully be watching his former team in that competition next season if Eddie Howe’s side manage to secure a top-five finish this season.
Shearer never won Europe’s elite club competition of course but represented teams in Blackburn and Newcastle who were never truly likely to challenge. Still, seven goals in 16 games is a fine Champions League record, bettered by only a few English players in history.
The Geordie hero, however, was on punditry duty for Amazon Prime before Arsenal’s semi-final first-leg defeat to PSG on Tuesday and was the subject of a light-hearted little dig.
Amazon Prime aim Alan Shearer dig in Champions League coverage
Shearer and fellow pundit Wayne Rooney were reflecting on Declan Rice’s brilliant two free-kicks that helped the Gunners beat Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
During that discussion, commentator Jon Champion brought in some footage of Shearer’s rather tame blocked shot during Newcastle’s clash against Barcelona at St James’ Park in March 2003, one they lost 2-0.
The legendary Nolberto Solano rolls the ball to Shearer, who sees his shot blocked rather easily by the wall. After it was re-taken due to encroachment from Xavi, sadly the same thing happens again.
“What a terrible lay-off that was,” joked Shearer.
Of the second attempt, he joked: “Look how close the wall is! What chance have you got?”
Alan Shearer’s major Champions League prediction for Newcastle United
Newcastle are within touching distance of a return to the Champions League.
Howe’s side sit third in the Premier League with only four games to go, starting with a difficult-looking trip down to Brighton on Sunday.
They are in a great position to add to their Carabao Cup success but the congested nature of the Premier League table affords very little margin for error.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 1 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 34 | 25 | 7 | 2 | 80 | 32 | 48 | 82 |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 34 | 18 | 13 | 3 | 63 | 29 | 34 | 67 |
| 3 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 34 | 19 | 5 | 10 | 65 | 44 | 21 | 62 |
| 4 |  Man CityManchester City | 34 | 18 | 7 | 9 | 66 | 43 | 23 | 61 |
| 5 |  ChelseaChelsea | 34 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 59 | 40 | 19 | 60 |
| 6 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 33 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 53 | 39 | 14 | 60 |
Still, having won 20 of their last 26 games, it’s currently difficult to look past Newcastle from claiming at least a top-five berth.
Such has been their success this season, Shearer is predicting Newcastle will qualify for the Champions League at the expense of Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.
Let’s hope he’s right!
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