[Newcastle](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/newcastleunited/) booked a return to Europe’s premier club competition on Sunday with a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League.
Qualifying for the Champions League is a huge boost to boss Eddie Howe’s hopes of holding on to the likes of Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento, who have all attracted interest from other clubs.
“Of course it’s important to keep these players,” said former France midfielder Cabaye, a popular figure on Tyneside during a three-year stay between 2011 and 2014.
“When you do a great season, it’s normal that your players are linked with other football clubs.
“But today Newcastle is one of the biggest clubs of the country. So I think they have got the capacity to keep them.
“Trust me, to play for Newcastle is something special – and keeping those players is going to be key for next season.”
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Cabaye finished his career in 2020 after spells with Paris St Germain, Crystal Palace, Al-Nasr and St Etienne.
The 39-year-old is now sporting director of the PSG youth academy and was at Wembley in February when Newcastle ended their 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy by beating Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup.
Cabaye told the PA news agency: “They’ve won a trophy and to make the Champions League makes it a fantastic season.
“But most of all they have a vision and they build on season after season.
“I know they want to develop themselves as a football club, and the big support they get from the fans is massive.
“I’m not in the back office and don’t know their strategy in terms of transfers, but if they can keep the best players and add value on the pitch they can compete for the big trophies.
“I have only been back there for the Champions League last season when PSG played them.
“But my plan is to go back there and watch a game with my seven-year-old son Maian, because he doesn’t know about Newcastle. He has to understand what is Newcastle.”