Newcastle United have been told their new 'stability' is the key to maintaining their incredible rise, but that a maturing Magpies side can continue to operate the top end of the Premier League.
Eddie Howe guided his side to a top-four spot and Champions League qualification just 18 months after arriving at St James' Park in the wake of the takeover led by Amanda Staveley and backed by Saudi Araba's Public Investment Fund.
This summer has seen more speculation about big-name transfers, with Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali expected to complete a £63m to United this week and others set to follow. But while fans are enjoying the improvements made to the squad, former Chelsea and France midfielder Florent Malouda says it's the stability which Howe and the club's hierarchy have brought to the club which has proven vital.
"The first ingredient is the stability that the management brings to the club," he told Genting Casino. "Eddie Howe did a great job last season. You also want stability within your squad and that is what Newcastle have done since they were taken over. The first major signing was Bruno Guimaraes and he was a good addition who settled in quickly.
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"They have some exciting young players at the club that they are developing, people like Joe Willock, Anthony Gordon, and Sven Botman. They bought in Isak and have done very well with their transfer business. If all of these players can mature at the same time, over the next few seasons, I can’t see why Newcastle can’t consistently stay at the top of the Premier League.
"They don’t make crazy signings and splash lots of money for the sake of it. Everything they do at Newcastle is part of a wider strategy with as much consideration placed on an individual’s personality as well as his ability."
Tonali's arrival will boost United's midfielder numbers, with the Italy international expected to offer a ball-winning element occasionally lacking last term. He brings strength to an area which already includes Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff, and Malouda feels that competition for places will be important - and will colour their future transfer plans.
"I don’t think they have a particular position in the squad that is obviously weak, but what they should be focusing on is creating competition within the entire squad," he added. "If you want to be a successful club, you need to have that competition across every role.
"The players that have had a good season, they will see new faces come into the club and that will make them increase their own performances. The best players don’t see new additions as a threat, they see it as an opportunity.
"This is what they need to do to consistently challenge for the top four. They need to add more international players that are used to these types of demands. They need to add that level of competition to the squad while increasing its overall quality because the Premier League is very difficult and they have the Champions League to think about as well."
The return of Champions League football to St James' Park for the first time in 20 years has raised the levels of excitement on Tyneside, and Malouda knows first-hand what the atmosphere can be like on European nights.
"I am looking forward to seeing Newcastle in the Champions League," he said. "It has been a while since they graced the competition. I can remember watching a game where they were playing in Europe against Marseille and the atmosphere at St James’ Park was electric.
"I think the Newcastle fans deserve this and, hopefully, they will be able to perform at the highest level in Europe. The more progress that the club can make in the Champions League will have a decisive factor in attracting better players. It will be amazing to witness great European nights at St. James’ Park again and I’m looking forward to the first one."
