Chris Sutton insists Newcastle United have “something about them” after their impressive start to the campaign. Six wins and just one defeat from the opening 12 games has the Magpies in fourth spot - enough to secure Champions League qualification next season.
Newcastle have not played in Europe’s elite competition since 2003-04 under Sir Bobby Robson. Even then, United were eliminated by Partizan Belgrade on penalties in the third qualifying round and failed to reach the group stage.
The Saudi-backed takeover promises to end a near two-decade-long wait for Champions League football to return to St James’ Park. However, not even the most optimistic Toon supporter would have anticipated the meteoric rise taking place so suddenly.
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Whether Newcastle finish fourth in May remains to be seen but Sutton gives Howe and Co a fighting chance of reaching the promised land. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the former Blackburn Rovers striker praised the “balance” and “confidence” within the Magpies’ team.
“Absolutely, they’re top-four contenders,” Sutton said. “You’re looking at Manchester City and I think Arsenal have been excellent. But then I think your Manchester Uniteds, your Tottenhams, your Chelseas, your Newcastles…
“Newcastle, the balance they have within the team, that confidence, the goals they're scoring, how defensively sound they are… they’ve got something about them. (Allan) Saint-Maximin came back on the bench at the weekend, they've got Alexander Isak to come back - they are in a great place.
“I know that we've spoken about this before but Eddie Howe is making players who, with the greatest respect, we would have looked at previously and thought ‘well, you know, they're ok’, and is making these players much better.
“At the start of the season, we would have thought Newcastle may finish seventh, but now, the way they're playing, of course they’re top-four contenders. I know they’ve spent a lot of money but it feels like they’re only just getting started in the transfer market.”
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