Former Newcastle United striker Michael Owen believes that Eddie Howe and his staff must start to look for 'world-class' players that they can entice to St James' Park if they want to go after silverware.
While the Magpies were just a single win away from breaking a 68-year wait for a major trophy earlier on in the season, their hopes of finishing in the top four this season, coupled with guaranteed future investment from their owners, means that they could be a force to be reckoned with sooner rather than later in the transfer market.
"Well, it's very difficult [to strengthen their side]. They've got a very balanced team," Owen told AceOdds. "To me, it feels like the manager is there to stay, and rightly so. I think he's a brilliant manager.
READ MORE: Newcastle United still keen on long-term transfer target Amadou Haidara as midfield options tracked
READ MORE: Inside Newcastle's unseen 'world-leading' revolution that is leading to 'off the chart' results
"I like the way that Newcastle haven't just gone and spent and spent and spent like everybody thought they would. They've actually done it quite calculated.
"Yes, they've brought in players, but they've done it in a gradual way. When you buy too many players too quickly, I don't ever think it works. If it is going to work, it's going to take a lot of time. So I think doing it in a gradual way has been the right thing.
"Newcastle's challenge is now going to be, if they can get into let's say fourth position for argument's sake, Newcastle's next challenge is obviously to probably cement the top four next season and then maybe start pushing towards a Premier League title.
Owen then highlighted that the Magpies must start to bring in the best across the world in order to keep up their Champions League hopes and eventually the league title.
"For that, you need absolute world-class players. That can't happen overnight. To entice world-class players, you need to be consistently up there, consistently looking like you could win a league or you are going to regularly qualify in the Champions League and things like that.
"So again, slowly, slowly, they'll be able to entice one or two players. The players that are there at the moment, keep improving them like Eddie Howe's done.
And eventually you'll be able to do it, but nothing will happen in the space of 1/2 years. It'll be a longer-term project to obviously go and be challenging for the top honours. But the way things are going you couldn't put it past Newcastle doing that in the next five years or so."
READ NEXT:
Newcastle recruiters hunt for 'best in class' replacement for departing Eddie Howe favourite
Newcastle wonderkid's instant response to 'ruthless' demand with future role kept open
Newcastle set to bank even more than £126m in TV money after Amanda Staveley's Sky revelation
Ryan Fraser's 'absolutely terrific' response on Newcastle comeback amid early Harrison Ashby verdict
The unexpected Miguel Almiron bonus for Newcastle United ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash
