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If Newcastle management had added talented players to the squad before the start of the season, we might not have seen their decline.
Newcastle become a rich club in the EPL, but players are still not sure about Newcastle's future potential. If this season Newcastle can improve its performance and at least can finished in 4th position, maybe in the summer transfer window, Newcastle can find better players than at the start of this season. Because there are prospects shown by Newcastle if they successfully compete in the UCL for two consecutive seasons.
Newcastle has never been the same as Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City in terms of player transfers. I mean, Newcastle management is more concerned with long-term projects by building squad depth gradually rather than spending a lot of money in one transfer season. This policy can certainly help them save a lot of money on purchasing players, but they also prioritize quality.
You are right, Newcastle is a rich club, but they don't seem to be in too much of a rush to build depth in their squad with a number of star players. Eddie Howe is an influential coach, but unfortunately Newcastle's performance this season has not lived up to the expectations of many fans. The defeat to Liverpool was their 9th defeat of the season in the Premier League, so they are in a decline in form compared to last season.
On other hand, Newcastle is also afraid of being sanctioned with points deductions like what happened to Everton, because as we know, They have to comply with financial fair play (FFP) rules. I am sure that one day, with its own style, Newcastle will become one of the clubs that dominates and challenges for the title in the EPL, They have financial resources that are difficult to spend just to recruit players.
I don't think Eddei Howe squad this season is completely bad, we know that the injury storm they are facing is terrible. However, they are still lucky to be able to maintain their performance so that they do not decline drastically. Chelsea, which has a reputation and abundant sources of wealth, Is even worse than Newcastle this season.
Predicting the end of the season, it looks like Newcastle will have difficulty finishing in the UCL zone, It is more realistic for them to finish in the Europa League zone. They are not the only ones who have this fate, Man United and Chelsea, who have the status of elite EPL clubs, also have the same fate as them. we know how fierce the competition between the top four is currently occupied by Liverpool, Aston Villa, Man City and Arsenal, i think these four clubs will only change positions in leading the standings, and will not be left out of the top four Positions.