Confirmed - Newcastle United’s best pound-for-pound signing of Premier League era
Newcastle United have a new pound-for-pound prince in town - his name is Fabian Schar.
Oh how the 3,000-strong away end on Monday night would love to have witnessed history. With a deft swivel of the hips and a strike that oozed finesse, Fabian Schar was a lick of paint away from creating another highlight reel to his collection.
As it happened, his audacious effort from inside Newcastle United’s half cannoned off the crossbar before Jacob Murphy pounced on the rebound. It was 2-0 to the Magpies against Leicester City - with Champions League football firmly within reach.
Eddie Howe’s men have eight games to secure arguably Newcastle’s best season since winning the title in 1927. If they are to succeed, their Swiss magician will need to perform at his impenetrable best.
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Long after he retires, Schar will be remembered for the slick, the sublime and the spectacular. That wondergoal against Paris Saint-Germain, placing the cherry on top of a masterful performance, is already etched in Geordie folklore.
But a gritty steeliness developed under Eddie Howe should not be understated. While the likes of Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali reap the plaudits for Newcastle’s season, Schar and Burn have been colossal at the back.
They formed part of a defensive unit that conceded the joint fewest goals two years ago as the Magpies stormed to Champions League qualification. Hold their nerve for another month or so and they could do the same again.
Schar’s talent was never under question. A Roll’s Royce of a centre-back, his flair was notable one day one. It was a perceived defensive frailty that saw him behind Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark favoured during Steve Bruce’s reign.
Rafa Benitez signed Schar for £3million, with Newcastle taking advantage of a clause following Deportivo La Coruna’s relegation seven years ago. What a piece of business that has turned out to be.
In fact, could it be that he is Newcastle’s best pound-for-pound buy of the Premier League era? Those of a certain generation are currently screaming “Rob Lee” at their screen, but Schar is definitely in the conversation.
Easy on the eye and the ball, Schar - following the Carabao Cup heroics especially - is now a Toon great. He walks into a Newcastle all-time Premier League XI and for another year at least, will still be enjoyed by the St James’ Park faithful.
Fabian Schar signed one-year contract extension at Newcastle United
Schar admitted his “delight” at committing his future to the magpies for another year. He told the club website last week: "I'm buzzing to extend my stay here. It's been a very good few weeks for everybody at Newcastle United after winning the Carabao Cup and I'm really happy now to sign another contract with this amazing club.
"It's my seventh season here and everybody knows how happy I am at the club and how comfortable I feel in the city, so I'm really glad to be continuing that. Now it's about looking forward and finishing the season as strong as possible."