Exclusive: Alan Shearer believes that the Carabao Cup victory and qualifying for the Champions League puts Newcastle in best shape since 1996 - but has urged them to take advantage of that
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United and (inset) Alan Shearer
Alexander Isak of Newcastle United and (inset) club legend Alan Shearer
(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
Alan Shearer has urged Newcastle United to "kick on" in the summer transfer window - insisting that Alexander Isak will need to see a statement of intent.
Shearer insists he has no worries on Isak's future but feels that tying him down to a longer deal will require some big moves in the transfer market. As Newcastle plan ahead for the 2025/26 Premier League season, Shearer also feels that Eddie Howe has a squad that can eventually challenge for the title if they get their business right.
When asked if Isak will sign the new deal to keep him on Tyneside long-term, Shearer told Chronicle Live: "Yeah. I don't have any worries about that. Because of the season that we've had and the trophy that we won.
"Fifth place and Champions League football, there's no fear from me that he would leave this season. I think we do have to kick on now for him and the other big players."They will want this to happen on a regular basis, and that's what Newcastle now have to do. Not only for Alex but for the rest of the fans, now we have to kick on."We are in a position now we have waited for so long, and it would be crazy not to kick on now."
When Shearer arrived as a marquee signing from Blackburn Rovers back in 1996, hot on the heels of being a national hero at Euro 96, the Magpies had just missed out on the Premier League title. Back then, Shearer walked into a dressing room full of world stars at the time, including David Ginola, Tino Asprilla, Philippe Albert, and Keith Gillespie, not to mention England's stars like Rob Lee, David Batty, and Les Ferdinand.
But Shearer admits that the current side are capable of eclipsing the 90s team that finished second in 1996 and 1997. Shearer said: "Yeah. I think they are because. That team was a really good team.
"But this team has done something we couldn't do, something Sir Bobby could not do, which Kevin couldn't do. Eddie has and he's had to do it the hard way; they had to beat the big boys who were top four or five in the Premier League, Forest, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool."Maybe not at the minute (to challenge for the title), but they have the opportunity by signing the right players. By August, if they sign two or three big hitters, then I think they will be in a better position."
Howe was asked in the immediate aftermath of the 2024/25 season whether the club could go out and sign a star like Shearer this summer. His response was that it was unlikely given the PSR situation at St James' Park.
Reflecting on what it was like to be one of Newcastle's last marquee signings that literally shook the world of football, the club legend said: "Obviously, I wasn't there when they lost a 12-point lead. I came in and I was meant to be the final piece of the jigsaw."But it didn't work out like that. Now they are in a really healthy position.
"They have done what we couldn't do, even with great managers and great players before us couldn't do."That has to put them in a healthy position. They haven't signed anybody in three windows so you'd think that they are ready to kick on."
Shearer was speaking at the book launch of Paul Ferris' new publication Once upon the Toon. The book is now available on Amazon and can be purchased here.
Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Everything is Black and White podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube