Newcastle United did incredibly well to disrupt the ‘big six’ last season, and are now looking to establish themselves as one of the Premier League’s elite.
The Magpies have the finances to sit at the top table alongside the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, but are not being allowed to spend their way to the top.
Financial fair play restrictions mean that Newcastle are having to be careful in the transfer market, despite PIF owning 80% of the club. It has led to frustration in the transfer window, all the while the likes of Chelsea break the bank time after time.
It is an issue for Newcastle, as well as plenty of other Premier League clubs. There are teams much further down the division that are struggling to strengthen their squads due to the money required.
It has created massive gulf between the top and the bottom, and Toon legend Alan Shearer believes that it is a major problem.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Alan Shearer thinks it is ‘almost impossible’ to stop the elite Premier League clubs
Shearer has been speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, and shared an observation about the Premier League as a whole.
Shearer: “I think the gap is huge now between top half and bottom half.”
Lineker: “Perhaps it is the fact that the big boys have invested so much that they’re going to be significantly better.”
Shearer: “That’s how the rules make it. They make it really difficult for anyone to come in and challenge the elite, almost impossible. What is happening is that gap between the elite and the others is growing and growing, and getting bigger and bigger and bigger. What we’re finding is that the bottom half of the table is poor.”
Lineker: “Are you happy that Newcastle are in that elite now?”
Shearer: “Of course I am happy that Newcastle are in that elite. But they do make it almost impossible for anyone to come in and challenge that elite. I don’t necessarily agree with it.”
Newcastle are forcing their way in
The gulf between the top and the bottom is growing. Luckily for Newcastle, they have been able to force their way in with smart investment and top quality coaching.
That is why what the Magpies achieved last season was so impressive, and it will be even more incredible if it can be replicated this time out. The early signs are promising, as Eddie Howe’s side beat Aston Villa 5-1 on Saturday.
But for other teams, it is almost impossible for them to compete as Shearer says. It is a major issue, but one that likely will not be addressed, because that would be to the detriment of the ‘big six’.