Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar has made Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week. The Toon legend put Schar in with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Harry Kane.
The Swiss international scored the Magpies’ second goal against Brighton and Hove Albion. It wasn’t just his goal that caught the eye of Shearer and some fans, Schar was strong at the back as well.
Boss Eddie Howe has called upon the 30-year-old many times since he arrived. He’s featured in the vast majority of the Toon’s Premier League matches.
Schar has had a career revival since Howe took the reigns at Newcastle
Rafael Benitez signed Schar from Deportivo back in 2018 for £3 million (BBC Sport) and he was a mainstay as a centre-back. He was seen as one of the many bargain deals that the Spaniard brought in whilst managing on Tyneside.
When Steve Bruce came in as the manager in 2019, the defender overtime fell out of favour. By the back end of last season and before he was sacked, Schar wasn’t featuring much for Newcastle.
That changed when in November Eddie Howe was appointed. Not only has he featured prominently, but he’s started to look how he did under Benitez.
Newcastle addressed their back four issues in January. They brought in Dan Burn from Brighton for £13 million (Sky Sports). Schar and Burn have established themselves as the go-to pairing at the back for Howe.
Not too long ago some Newcastle fans would’ve thought Schar should’ve been sold. However, he’s begun to turn many doubters around.
He was clearly one of many examples who really struggled under Bruce. Howe has been able to utilise Schar and get the best out of him. Additionally, putting him alongside Burn has certainly helped.
It seems that both Schar and Jonjo Shelvey are set to get new deals (The Telegraph). It’s definitely deserved, he’s proven to be an established defender at the club.
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