Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
Ian Wright has questioned Newcastle United’s takeover - using Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy as signs of stagnation.
The Saudi-backed ownership steamrolled into St James’ Park three years ago tasked with keeping the club in the Premier League. Amid off-field criticism towards the regime, PIF spent over £100million to ensure top-flight survival.
That was followed by investment in the summer, with Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Alexander Isak added to the ranks. The next year saw Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall arrive - but spending has been frugal since.
FFP/PSR restrictions have governed Newcastle’s thinking, with no first-team upgrade for two transfer windows. Noises around the Magpies are already hinting at January spending being at a minimum despite the indifferent start to the campaign.
Eddie Howe revealed at last week's press conference for the first time that he may be forced to sell before bringing players in. Thousands of supporters expected a transformative takeover akin to Manchester City’s or Chelsea’s but, so far, the regulations have kept a lid on Newcastle.
Read More
Arsenal legend Wright observed Murphy and Almiron during the 4-2 defeat to Brentford - insisting they reflect the financial struggles on Tyneside. Howe inherited both players upon arrival and, Yankuba Minteh aside, who joined as a youth player, the Magpies have not signed a right-winger since the takeover.
“You look at where Newcastle are, there are certain players (still there) like Murphy and Almiron,” he told the Kelly & Wrighty show. “There’s no way when the new owners came in, how long is it since the new owners have been there? Three years on there are players who are still in and around that would be there.
“Nobody can tell me Eddie Howe wasn’t expecting more spending and more players. There’s no way three years on that Newcastle thought this would be where they’d be. I don’t know where they are.”
Continue Reading