Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is putting his side’s emphatic 5-1 opening day win over Aston Villa down to their fantastic team spirit and the 900-squillion quid pumped into the club by Saudi Public Investment Fund.
The Geordie outfit hammered Unai Emery’s men at St James’ Park and Howe believes the togetherness within the camp along with a bottomless pit of oil money are main factors behind the result.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 10: New Newcastle Head Coach Eddie Howe pictured with the club shirt at his unveiling press conference at St. James Park on November 10, 2021 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
When asked why Newcastle have gone from relegation candidates to potential title chasers, Howe told Paddy Power News:
‘It’s hard to say really. But if I had to put my finger on it, I’d say the spirit in the changing room and of course, access to the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia helps.
‘When the Public Investment Fund took control of the club, a lot of people expected us to sign the likes of Mbappe and Neymar for ridiculous sums of money.
‘But I’ve been working with a shoestring budget of £300m’.
Howe believes with the proper investment Newcastle can compete with the likes of Manchester City.
‘City are the benchmark but with the right signings, I think we could equal their record of 115 FFP charges. If not this season, then definitely next’.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 04: A view of St James’ Park home of Newcastle United ahead of the Pre-Season Friendly match between Newcastle United and FC Augsburg at St James’ Park on August 4, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
‘It’s up to the owners how they want to cook the books. Either sponsoring our own shirts or getting one of the Saudi Pro League clubs they own to slap in a £200 million bid for Dan Burn. That’s what I’d be doing if in their position’.
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On the topic of Man City, Howe is looking forward to his side’s upcoming clash at the Etihad Stadium.
‘The Oil Classico is the biggest fixture in the Premier League, if not the world’, the 45-year-old told Paddy Power News.
‘It’s a strange one really. Depending on the price of oil in a couple of years, City and Newcastle could either be playing in the final of the Champions League or the Papa Johns Trophy’.
*Paddy Power’s breaking news coverage is 100% nonsense, but you knew that already… didn’t you?
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