Eddie Howe leads his team back into action at Crystal Palace on Sunday but found himself answering questions on player sales at his press conference
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (R) now has plenty of time on the training ground to work with his players
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (R) now has plenty of time on the training ground to work with his players(Image: SCOTT HEPPELL / AFP via Getty Images)
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has stated he is prepared to work within certain "conditions" at St James' Park - including having star players sold this summer.
Howe was unhappy with the £125m sale of Alexander Isak after the situation was allowed to drag on before a late scramble for replacements saw Newcastle pay £55m for Yoane Wissa and £69m for Nick Woltemade. Howe then watched on as CEO David Hopkinson made it clear that every player has a price and that big-names could be sold in order to fund transfers in the next window.
What fans are questioning is how Newcastle can genuinely achieve a "world class" status before 2030 despite having lesser finances compared to Man City or Liverpool, plus other rivals, but still reach that point by selling players - especially if it is to competitors like the Isak sale.
When asked how he felt about Hopkinson's recent comments, Howe said: "If that’s the reality, and David will know more than me on that side, then that’s the reality. I’ve got no issues working with the conditions that the club set.
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"Finances dictate. I’ve never had an issue with that throughout my career. As long as that’s made clear to everyone on the outside and the expectations are aligned within that.
"I don’t think you can have expectations that warp reality. Everything has to be aligned for the players to enter the pitch and be in their best place, where they’re relaxed and not under undue pressure. I think that’s fundamentally important."
Despite mixed results on summer signings, with the jury out on some stars, Howe insisted that all the summer purchases were made with a view they could fit in at Newcastle.
Howe said: "I think from my perspective, we've recruited players here since I've been here in the same way. So, although we've had different sporting directors, the processes haven't changed.
"So, when we recruit a player, what’s fundamentally important is that me and the coaching team like that player and can see a way that we can get the very best out of him in our team. Signing a player that doesn't fit that criteria, I think, is unhealthy.
"And the club have been really good in helping me sort of mould the squad as I want to. So I think I always say judge me by every signing that we've made since I've been here, not just by one or two that people want to sort of beat me with a stick with.
"Across the board, I think we've recruited really well. Of course, there will be question marks on certain players. I understand that comes with the territory. But I'm really proud of our recruitment.
"There's a lot of work that's gone into it. But all the players that we've signed, whether it's abroad or domestic based, have been chased and endorsed by myself."
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