Newcastle United 'deserved' a top-four finish last season but will soon learn if they 'overachieved'. That is the view of Arsenal legend Ray Parlour, who believes the Magpies are facing the question of 'where they go now' due to the strength of the so-called 'Big Six'.
Eddie Howe's side lost just five Premier League matches en route to securing a fourth-placed finish as well as Carabao Cup final appearance. It was the former Bournemout boss' first full season in charge at St James' Park, having steered the team clear of relegation danger after his appointment in October 2021.
Newcastle capitalised on the respective struggles at Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham to book their place in the Champions League. Howe has already brought in Sandro Tonali as he looks to prepare his squad for the challenge of competing on four fronts, with talks under way for Leicester City forward Harvey Barnes.
However, Financial Fair Play and UEFA's own sustainability rules prevent the Magpies from matching the overall spending of their 'Big Six' rivals. Liverpool have spent close to £100 million to improve their midfield with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, while Chelsea have added to their frontline with Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, despite overseeing a squad clearout.
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Parlour feels the upcoming campaign will provide a real test of where Newcastle now stand in comparison to the Premier League's elite. Having surpassed expectations so soon after the takeover, the pundit has questioned the next set of targets for the team.
Parlour told Genting Casino: "It’ll be interesting to see how Liverpool get on because the top four and top six are so strong now. We’ll have to see if Newcastle overachieved last season or if they can replicate what they achieved again. They deserved to claim a top four place but it’s now a question of where they go now."
