Jeff Stelling says there are two reasons why Newcastle United will not qualify for the Champions League

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Newcastle United would love to be back in the Champions League next season.

Competing in Europe’s biggest competition was incredible last season, and that night against Paris Saint-Germain will live long in the memories for Newcastle United fans.

However, PIF‘s goal is to be regulars in the Champions League, and some have suggested that the Magpies can qualify again this year due to not having the added pressure of competing in Europe.

Before a ball was kicked, Alan Shearer said Newcastle could challenge for the top four – but only if they signed Marc Guehi. That deal did not happen, with the 24-year-old proving to be too expensive.

And given the lack of major signings, less is suddenly expected of Newcastle United.

Newcastle no longer tipped to qualify for the Champions League

That is the view of TalkSPORT presenter Jeff Stelling, who has changed his mind about how Eddie Howe’s side will get on this season.

Last month, Stelling predicted that Newcastle will finish fourth. However, he has now told TalkSPORT that he does not see it happening anymore after the lack of transfer activity and seeing the Magpies’ bench against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

“Newcastle fans – don’t get up my back about it because I had you finishing in the top four,” he said.

“Having seen yesterday, actually having looked at your bench yesterday, I don’t think you can finish top four because the lack of activity during not just think transfer window but the previous transfer window as well means that the squad is pretty much threadbare.

“So I might just have to change my mind about finishing top four.

“But a great win against all the odds [against Tottenham].”

It is unclear how well Newcastle United will do

Given Newcastle’s inability to improve Eddie Howe’s squad, it is understandable that a pundit like Stelling is no longer backing them to finish in the top four.

The lack of new signings is massively disappointing, and should result in less being expected of Howe. How can he deliver Champions League football if he is not given the tools to do so?

However, there is still a chance. Newcastle are not firing yet, but this is a very good team. And it is a team that is only going to get better.

Stelling noted that the Newcastle bench was uninspiring on Sunday, but that should soon change. Howe will hopefully have Callum Wilson and Joe Willock back from injury soon, and they will add additional depth to a squad that was torn apart last season with fitness problems.

It will be a big ask for Newcastle to finish in the top four, especially given the competition. Howe’s job has been made even more difficult by the lack of new signings, but he has defied the odds before at St James’ Park.