Martin Keown has stated that ‘it’s going to be difficult’ for Newcastle United to secure Champions League football this season.
The former Arsenal defender used Chelsea as an example of a team that will stop them from reaching that goal because they are ‘re-emerging’ under Graham Potter.
After sacking Thomas Tuchel, life under their new coach has started in a bright fashion, including Chelsea beating Wolves in the Premier League over the weekend.
That pushed the London club into fourth place on 16 points, two ahead of sixth-placed Newcastle, who put five past Brentford during their last fixture.
After picking up a number of draws, Eddie Howe’s side are now starting to add wins to their name and climbing up the table.
As a result, talk of what the Saudi-owned team can achieve is growing, with Keown shutting down any chance of a top-four finish, as he told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.
“Not for me because of the competition around them,” said Keown. “Chelsea are re-emerging. You have Spurs, Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool. It’s going to be difficult.”
EUROPE ON THE CARDS
Champions League football might be a long stretch, but European football shouldn’t be ruled out for this growing team.
From top to bottom, whether it’s players who have been purchased from the transfer window or players transforming under Howe’s coaching, everything is on the up.
Of course, if Newcastle secure a top-ten finish this season, then it will still be a thumbs-up from the fans.
But given that they have started the season so well, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t charge for those top seven places and make a long-awaited return to Europe.
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