Eddie Howe believes Newcastle can keep stars with Champions League football
Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon's futures are uncertain
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By CRAIG HOPE
Published: 17:30 EST, 23 December 2024 | Updated: 17:30 EST, 23 December 2024
Eddie Howe says Champions League football — potentially through a fifth-place finish — would go a long way to keeping Newcastle’s top stars at the club.
The head coach has outlined the reality of the situation in recent weeks, stressing that profit and sustainability rules have had a ‘dramatic’ impact on the speed of the project under Saudi ownership. They have not signed a first-team starter in two transfer windows and are unlikely to buy in January.
That has led to talk of leading players such as Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon having to move on to satisfy their own ambitions.
However, Howe knows there is a shortcut to keeping those names at St James’ Park, and it all comes back to performance on the pitch.
‘The challenge for the team is to be successful,’ said Howe, when asked how he avoids losing his best players. ‘With a successful team, everything is easier across the board in every respect.
‘The challenge for me is to push the team to those heights. We’re in the semi-final of a cup, and that’s a massive thing for everyone that brings real positivity. Our league form is improving and if we can continue to improve we will put ourselves in a good position. Everything is linked to that.
Eddie Howe says securing Champions League football can help Newcastle keep top stars
There is talk of Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak (L-R) having to move on
‘But, away from the football, we have a duty to look after the players, to treat them well and give them the environment that they really enjoy. Then there is other stuff behind that in terms of their contracts. So, it’s a multi-linked thing, but on the pitch is the most important.’
And what about the potential of finishing fifth and qualifying for the Champions League, with the Premier League currently in line to receive an extra place in Europe’s top competition.
‘Yes, and that’s linked to the answer I’ve just given,’ he said. ‘We said last year we wanted European football, in any respect. But, of course, the Champions League is the one that everyone wants more than anything else.
‘We will give our best to have the best season that we can. I don’t see any reason why we can’t be very successful this year. The team looks really good at the moment. The balance is strong.’ Meanwhile, Howe says it makes ‘no sense’ for Newcastle to sell goalkeeper Martin Dubravka while he is in the team — but he
did not rule out a January exit.
Mail Sport revealed last week that the club’s hierarchy will let the Slovakian decide on his future next month, with an offer on the table from Saudi Arabian side Al Shabab.
Howe says it makes ‘no sense’ for Newcastle to sell Martin Dubravka whilst he is in the team — but didn't rule out a January exit
However, the situation is complicated by a knee injury to No 1 Nick Pope, and he is not expected to return until the latter half of January.
Dubravka, who turns 36 next month, has started the last three matches and is in line to play the next five at the very least, including a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal.
‘Certainly, we wouldn’t want to lose the goalkeeper that’s playing for us currently, that wouldn’t make sense,’ said Howe. ‘So, no, that isn’t a deal we would want to sanction currently.’
If Dubravka were to go when Pope is fit, would there be scope to bring in a replacement? ‘The Martin situation isn’t clear-cut, said Howe. ‘Let’s see what happens in the next few weeks.’