Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand have told Newcastle United what they must do in the transfer window if they want to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
It’s been an incredible season for Newcastle United after breaking their 70-year trophy duck by winning the Carabao Cup but the chase for a Champions League place will go to the final day.
Despite a strong start in which they were denied several times by goalkeeper David Raya, Eddie Howe’s side slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
The disappointing Anthony Gordon gave the ball away to allow Declan Rice to clinch the decisive goal, with Newcastle missing the chance to go second in the table and seal their Champions League spot.
It was a tired performance as Newcastle suffered yet another injury beforehand with star striker Alexander Isak missing out with a groin problem.
He joined Lewis Hall, Joelinton, Kieran Trippier, and Matt Targett on the sidelines, with Howe running out of options as injuries mount.
Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand both agreed that the club will need to strengthen their squad depth considerably in the summer transfer window if they want to challenge for the title next season.
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What Newcastle United must do in the transfer window
Though they will finish third if they defeat Everton on the final day and Chelsea don’t overcome their goal difference, Newcastle have not been contenders for the title once this season.
If they have designs on doing so next year, then Sky Sports pundit Redknapp believes they must significantly improve their strength in depth this summer.
Speaking after the game, he said: “They fizzled out.
“I have to be honest, second half, when you see [William] Saliba coming off and you see [Riccardo] Calafiori and [Jakub] Kiwior as two centre-backs, I thought this was a big opportunity for Newcastle now.
“But they lost that intensity and momentum. Arsenal, in fairness, a bit like last week at Liverpool, where they struggled first half and second half, they found the ascendancy, they looked the better team.
“I just didn’t feel like they [Newcastle] had enough belief or enough quality.
“What it also showed you when they brought on the subs, there wasn’t the backup that you’d normally like.
“That might be an area where Eddie will be looking at in the summer, just to thicken up the squad.
“Strengthen it so you have subs coming on because when you haven’t got Isak, it definitely leaves you a little bit short in that department.”
Newcastle great Ferdinand then added in agreement: “The fact that they had two goalkeepers on the bench just to fill up the spaces tells you that they’re lacking in that bit of quality to really push on and be challenging at the top of this division.”
Newcastle need attacking reinforcements after Wilson’s performance
Any team would struggle without their best player and top goal scorer, so it’s no great shame that Newcastle lost in Isak’s absence.
The issue is that Howe does not have any good replacements for the super Swede.
Callum Wilson had the chance to prove he deserves a new contract but he offered little threat and is miles off the pace Newcastle want to play at.
William Osula replaced him but didn’t offer much more, with his potential still rough and raw.
Several positions need upgrading in the summer – goalkeeper, centre-back, winger, midfielder – but a versatile forward who can play out wide but is good enough centrally to replace Isak is absolutely vital.
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