‘I see them’ - Alan Shearer reveals where he thinks Newcastle will finish in 2024/25 Premier League season
Alan Shearer has revealed what Newcastle need to do to achieve Champions League football
Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer believes that the club’s absence from European competitions will give them a huge chance of achieving success in the league this year.
Shearer was joined by Match of the Day colleagues Micah Richards and Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast to predict where all 20 teams would finish come the end of the season.
When discussing his former club Newcastle, Shearer said: “No European football. I think as great as that was last year their squad was tested and had so many injuries and they need to get (Marc) Guehi in. If they do I think it will be a real statement signing for them. If they do get that. I see them finishing maybe fourth.”
Shearer went on to praise the club for being able to so far keep hold of their star assets, including Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, who were all the subject of reports linking them with moves away.
The iconic number nine added: “Great news managing not to sell one of their big hitters with the financial rules. Particularly (Alexander) Isak, he’s a fantastic player as we saw throughout last season. He will be challenging again for the Golden Boot if he can stay injury free. So I’ve got them finishing fourth.”
Ex-Manchester City defender Richards claimed that the Magpies would be competitive but didn’t feel they’d have enough to finish in the top four. He explained: “I think they will just miss out on the Champions League. I think fifth or maybe sixth.”
Richards’ view was shared by Match of the Day host Lineker who said: “I see European football as well as long as they don’t have to battle with the injuries like last year.”
However, Shearer was quick to point out that his prediction was based on the arrival of Guehi and added that Newcastle needed to sign the Crystal Palace defender or ‘another top quality player’ to be in the running for Champions League football again.
The Magpies have already had three bids rejected to the England international this summer but are edging closer to striking a deal with the Eagles after submitting a fourth bid, which according to Sky Sports News is close to Crystal Palace’s £65m valuation.
Newcastle kick off the season tomorrow with a home clash against Southampton on Saturday 17 August. As it stands, the bookmakers at Sky Bet have the Magpies as fifth favourites to secure Champions League football behind Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.