PIF want Newcastle United to win the Premier League, but when that becomes a realistic ambition remains to be seen.
There has been constant progression since they became the Newcastle United owners. Under the guidance of Eddie Howe, the Magpies have ended their trophy drought and qualified for the Champions League twice.
They are a match for the Premier League’s elite, and have shown signs that they really can upset the status quo of English football.
But are they Premier League title challengers this season? Not in the eyes of Gary Neville.
Gary Neville speaks on Sky Sports alongside Kelly Cates ahead of Liverpool vs Bournemouth.
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Gary Neville explains why Newcastle United are not title challengers
With the Premier League’s major clubs having kicked off their new campaigns, Neville has assessed which teams are in contention to be top by May.
The frontrunners are Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, with Neville believing they are the only clubs that are in the conversation.
Speaking on the Gary Neville podcast on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel, the former Manchester United defender dismissed the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur challenging for top spot.
“I’m not being dismissive of the other teams in terms of saying they’re poor teams or nowhere near good enough,” he said.
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“They just haven’t got that experience, that maturity, that title-winning feel about them yet, those teams that you have just mentioned.
“Aston Villa and Newcastle are not going to win the league.”
Newcastle United set for their second major test of the season already
Eddie Howe will have no qualms about not being considered title challengers. His aim will be to get the balance between Premier League and Champions League and compete on all fronts, which is something his side could not do during their last European adventure.
It is going to be a challenging season, but the Magpies have already passed their first test. Newcastle played well against Aston Villa, at a ground they were handsomely beaten at last season. There is disappointment that Newcastle did not win, but there were a lot of positives to take from the performance.
Now an even bigger challenge is on the horizon, as Liverpool head to St James’ Park. They are the Premier League champions and want to defend their crown, while the game has added spice due to the Alexander Isak situation.
For Howe, it is another chance to put down an early marker. While Newcastle are not going to prove themselves to be title challengers against Liverpool next week, they can send out a message to the rest of the league.
They can show they should still be feared without Isak, as well as confirming themselves as European contenders.