BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks believes that Newcastle United could miss out on their Premier League target this season.
Having achieved Champions League qualification last season, a top four finish in the Premier League has to be the aim again for Newcastle United this time around.
The Magpies got off to a good start, with a 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa at St James’ Park in their first Premier League match of the campaign.
Eddie Howe has strengthened his squad this summer, with the likes of Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali swelling his ranks on Tyneside.
However, former Tottenham Hotspur striker and pundit Crooks doesn’t believe that those additions will be enough to secure another top four place for Newcastle. He said in his BBC Sport Team of the Week column, “I worry for Newcastle this season. The Champions League, while extremely attractive, will have a massive bearing on their season and I’m not entirely sure they have the squad to achieve another top-four finish as a consequence.”
Newcastle face tough balancing act
Balancing Premier League football with their continental commitments will certainly be a challenge for Newcastle. Howe, having never managed in a European club competition before, will have to prove that he is up to the task of navigating the club through both tournaments.
The hectic schedule, intense travel commitments, and demanding nature of the games may mean that Newcastle’s Premier League form does suffer as a result of their Champions League involvement.
There may come a time when Howe has to seriously prioritise one competition over the other, if the Champions League threatens to ruin his Premier League aspirations at any point.
Newcastle aren’t expected to win the Champions League, of course. An unfavourable draw could see them fall out of the competition during the group stage phase, which wouldn’t necessarily be a disaster.
The club’s aims for this season should be fighting for the top four again and making a real go of getting their hands on some silverware, such as the League Cup or FA Cup.
Howe will be desperate to prove Crooks wrong and show that Newcastle can compete on all fronts this season.
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