Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle Are Looking Like Genuine Top-Four Contenders

Ever since a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund took over Newcastle United, it has only been a matter of when, and not if, they will take their place among the Premier League’s big boys. If the Magpies’ excellent start to the season is any indication, that ascension might be happening a lot sooner than expected.

Eddie Howe’s men currently lie fourth in the table, just two points behind Tottenham Hotspur in third. They currently have the meanest defence in the league, having conceded just ten goals in 13 games. Their only loss of the season came against Liverpool and they held both Manchester clubs to contrasting draws. Asked about their impressive start to the season over the weekend, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said out loud what many were acknowledging silently. “They are a contender (for the Champions League places). A contender to be there. The manager is Eddie Howe and you know how good he is. With the new players that come… and the way they play, brave.”

It is perhaps no surprise that they are challenging the established teams so soon — City themselves finished third in just their third season after being taken over by Abu Dhabi United group, and won the title the very next year in 2011. A similar rise was expected of Newcastle after being taken over by an entity whose wealth rivals that of the City owners.

However, if City’s rise a decade ago was fuelled by outspending the league to attract the likes of Robinho, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero, Newcastle has taken a more patient approach. Theirs was not a name in contention for the Messis, Neymars or Mbappes of the world. In terms of transfer expenditure, they were not in the Premier League’s top five. Their only high-profile signing of the season — a club-record transfer — was the acquisition of Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad.

Isak, though, has played in a minimal role this season, appearing only thrice for the club. The forwards in the spotlight are two players pretty familiar to the faithful at St James’ Park. Miguel Almiron is in his fifth season with the club, but is playing like a man transformed, having already scored seven in the league so far. To put that number into perspective, his previous four seasons yielded a collective nine goals. His strike partner Callum Wilson is in his third season at Newcastle. He is on six goals, just two less than what he managed in the whole of last season.

In defence, new signing Nick Pope may be taking the plaudits, with back-to-back player of the month awards. But the contribution of Fabian Schar, who signed for the club way back in 2018, is not to be overlooked. Similarly, Bruno Guimaraes, in his first full season for the club, has excelled in the midfield, but so has Joelinton with over a hundred appearances for the club.

In the end, the credit boils down to the man that Guardiola lauded — Eddie Howe, who has now qualms working for owners with an unsavory reputation. The 44-year-old has not only integrated the new signings that Newcastle’s new-found riches have bought, but has also managed to immeasurably improve players who were already there.

Reports claim that Newcastle’s owners will go all out to back Howe in January should the club be in contention for a Champions League place. The way they are firing at the moment, it would take a drastic turnaround to ensure that they aren’t. After years as a lesser force, Newcastle United’s rise to the top of English football may only be a matter of months away.