Chris Waddle makes ‘top-quality players’ claim as Newcastle United target Europe

Former Newcastle United winger Chris Waddle believes his former club will attract ‘top-quality players’ if they qualify for the Champions League this season.

The Magpies enjoyed a remarkable first part of the season after losing just one of their opening 15 games to ensure they were sat in the top four as the Premier League took a break for the World Cup Finals. Eddie Howe’s men enjoyed a successful return to competitive action earlier this week when they progressed into the last eight of the Carabao Cup with a narrow home win against Bournemouth.

But United will return their focus to league matters when they visit Leicester City on Boxing Day before they round off a remarkable 2022 with a home game against Leeds United on New Year’s Eve. Their fine form has led to suggestions Howe could become the first manager to lead United into the Champions League since Sir Bobby Robson’s Magpies took on the likes of Barcelona, Inter and Juventus 20 years ago.

Former England and Marseille star Waddle believes qualifying for European football’s elite club competition could unlock an ability to bring some top talent to Tyneside and allow Howe to resolve one issue with his current squad.

He told William Hill: “If you get in the Champions League, you need a bigger squad and a lot of players, you need two teams basically. At the minute, they probably have one and a bit.

“You’d then be talking about serious money, but they would then get the chance to buy top-quality players because they’re in the Champions League. If they can stay in that top four, they’ll have the option of many top players who want to join them because that’s where they want to go.”