Newcastle United’s impressive 2-1 away victory against Southampton stretched their unbeaten run to nine Premier League matches.
First goals for January signings Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes helped Eddie Howe’s side overcome the Saints and secure their sixth victory in nine league matches.
The Magpies are yet to lose a single match in 2022, but their biggest challenge will take place against a Chelsea side, while wounded by owner Roman Abramovich's sanctioning by the UK Government, who have only lost one of their last 12 league matches.
Newcastle’s new Saudi Arabian based owners are hoping to launch an assault on the Premier League similarly to Chelsea’s when they were bought by Abramovich in 2003.
But with the two financial juggernauts set to face each other at Stamford Bridge, Mirror Football compares Newcastle ’s and Chelsea’s first seasons under new ownership.
Chelsea’s debut campaign under Abramovich
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Claudio Ranieri was handed a terrifying £150m transfer war chest during Abramovich’s first season at the Stamford Bridge helm.
And the Italian wasted no time in flexing the Blues’ new financial muscles, bolstering his side with 11 new signings in his first campaign.
At the time, the Blues were linked with the likes of Raul of Real Madrid and Thierry Henry of Arsenal, but neither player nor club were willing to welcome the west Londoners’ advances.
However, Ranieri did manage to capture the signature of Hernan Crespo in what was considered a spectacular marquee signing.
Chelsea’s priority was bolstering their senior team with players of high quality and experience, while also poaching some of the best young talent in the country.
As well as Crespo, Chelsea also signed Damien Duff from Blackburn Rovers, as well as Juan Sebatian Veron from Manchester United and Claude Makelele from Real Madrid.
Parma centre-forward Adrian Mutu also followed through the door, while Scott Parker was also poached from Charlton Athletic.
Glen Johnson, Joe Cole, Geremi, Wayne Bridge, and Aleksey Smertin also arrived from West Ham, Real Madrid, Southampton, and Bordeaux respectively to further enrich their squad.
While many clubs have struggled after enormous transfer windows, Ranieri managed to assemble his squad beautifully.
While the Blues’ impressed, they did not quite have enough to break the elite barriers and force their way into title or European contention.
They finished runner up to the Arsenal Invincibles and were knocked out of the Champions League semi-final by Monaco.
It was a stark improvement from the Blues' previous finish which saw them finish in fourth position.
Nevertheless, it was not enough for the ever demanding Abramovich, who swung the infamous Stamford Bridge axe for the first time, by offloading Ranieri and bringing in Jose Mourinho.
Newcastle United’s first season
Similarly to Chelsea, Newcastle were linked with some of the best players in the world such as Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale, and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
While none of those illustrious names arrived at St James’ Park, Newcastle did manage bolster their squad with many experienced stars.
Kieran Trippier’s arrival from Atletico Madrid was the first transfer under the ownership, while Newcastle paid £27m for the services of Chris Wood from Burnley.
But just as Newcastle fans were beginning to grow dissatisfied with their business, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, and Matt Targett arrived from Lyon, Brighton and Hove Albion, and Aston Villa towards the end of the window.
Since the Magpies’ first new signing, they are yet to lose a single Premier League match in 2022.
They have swiftly transformed from relegation certainties to a side who are only four points away from the top half of the Premier League.
While the new arrivals have certainly helped, Howe deserves excellent credit for tightening up the defence and encouraging a more aggressive and free-flowing attacking style of play.
Considering the financial might and quality of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Tottenham, Newcastle may need a few seasons to build a squad capable of disrupting the Premier League status quo.
But with Premier League survival essentially secured, Newcastle are certainly heading in the right direction.
