Alan Shearer says £3m Newcastle man has proven he is an ‘integral’ part of Toon side

Follow us on Google Discover

Alan Shearer has told his Premier League Team of the Week column that Fabian Schar has proven he is an “integral” part of the Newcastle starting line-up – scoring a “magnificent” goal against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Schar, 30, joined Newcastle in the summer of 2018 for a bargain £3million from Deportivo. But for the first three seasons, the Switzerland international only managed 74 appearances – being somewhat of a rotational options.

But since Eddie Howe’s arrival, Schar has started 25 of the manager’s 29 Premier League games in charge. His 25th start under Howe came on Saturday, as the Toon welcomed newly-promoted, much-changed Forest to Tyneside.

Schar opened Newcastle’s Premier League account with a wonderful strike from all of 25 yards, that completely befuddled Dean Henderson. Shearer was full of praise, branding the centre-back “integral” to Howe’s side.

• Newcastle and Tottenham want Leeds star, but Elland Road is his best move
• Robin Koch an unsung hero at right-back in Leeds’ final games of 21/22

“An integral part of the Newcastle United defence who kept another home clean sheet and he opened the scoring with a magnificent goal,” Shearer said, picking Schar and Bruno Guimaraes in his Premier League Team of the Week.

Shearer: Schar has proven he is integral to Newcastle

Shearer is right. Schar has been brilliant for Newcastle ever since Howe stepped foot into the building. Howe has signed a new deal and one of the best things he has done is to improve some of Newcastle’s mediocre players.

Joelinton is the prime example. But Schar is another, along with the likes of Ryan Fraser, Sean Longstaff and others. It might go without saying that when Sven Botman is available, Schar could be first choice ahead of Dan Burn.

Burn has hardly put a foot wrong, but has been steady and solid. Schar offers more – better on the ball, strong in the air, a player that is already a leader within the Toon side. Alongside Botman, he is crucial to the Toon side.